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Lee Ryder

Why Eddie Howe's phone will stay switched on in June amid tribute to Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson

Eddie Howe says that he will not savour Newcastle United's celebrations too long if the Magpies book their place in the Champions League against Leicester tonight.

Just a point would clinch a coveted top four slot, but for Howe he knows that the moment this season ends, preparations begin for next term. And that means his phone will be switched on throughout his June break.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Leicester, Howe was asked if he'd be unable to soak up any sense of achievement and said: "Unfortunately, yes. It means you are on a conveyor belt and you can't get off it.

READ MORE: Newcastle's walking wounded leave big problems ahead of Leicester game

"Everyone will say 'that's a great achievement', all I can think of is the next challenge coming. You can't sit back, take a month off and relax on a beach, it's the opposite.

"It's how do we succeed best in the next phase. It is very much being on a cycle of improvement."

Howe can emulate two Newcastle managerial legends in Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan by earning a third placed finish. Robson was the last man to lead Newcastle to the Champions League.

Howe said: "I did not meet Sir Bobby, I would have loved to have met him. I certainly admired him, I loved watching him.

"I loved the 1990 World Cup and seeing him manage England. How he conducted himself under intense pressure. That was probably a thing as a very young lad watching it, formed me an opinion on managers and how to act."I thought that he was an absolute credit to his family."

"Kevin Keegan, I spoke to him before taking the job here, I definitely need to speak to him again. Even the brief conversation I had with him taught me so much about the club."

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