Eddie Howe's simple Manchester United message as challenge set to Newcastle players

EDDIE Howe has challenged his Newcastle United players to right the wrongs of their away form this season ahead of two "huge games" that will decide whether the Magpies are playing European football next term.

Newcastle have only won five of their 17 games away from St James' Park this season but now need positive results at Manchester United on Wednesday and Brentford next weekend in what promises to be a dramatic finale to a challenging season on Tyneside.

United's hopes of catching Tottenham have now all but disappeared so the focus is all on securing a sixth-place finish.

The added challenge for Newcastle is the fact their two remaining games are on the road, where they've struggled this season, with only five teams having picked up fewer points than the Magpies.

But Howe says it's a good time to put that right.

“It is. We're looking for some consistency – it's not all been bad, I think we've won some good games, especially in the cups - but we haven't had that feeling that we're going to win consecutive games, that just hasn't happened," he admitted.

“We haven't built up a rhythm on the road. As you say, it's a great time to do that, two games in quick succession, two tough games individually, they're both very difficult opponents.

“But I think we can go in confidence. I think we're playing well and it's been a real up-turn towards the end of the season in our general performances. I think that's key."

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And Howe's message to his players is a simple one.

"It's in our hands," he said.

"Our goal difference is really strong. You'd always prefer it that way, you can control what you can control, we don't have to look at other results.

“But still, you don't take anything for granted. We know how difficult these two games are going to be."

Howe wants his players to relish the challenge ahead, with Newcastle first focusing on repeating their Carabao Cup success at Old Trafford from earlier this season.

The head coach said: “Two huge games. The Manchester United game is set up perfectly, isn't it? That will be massive for us. We'll give everything we can to try to get a positive result, and then of course Brentford will take care of itself on the last day.

“But as we've said all along it's probably going to go right to the end."