The latest North East sport headlines, from Daniel Wales.
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00:00Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has fended off claims that the Magpies will need to sell during the summer transfer window
00:07and said that actually Newcastle are looking to strengthen their depth to compete on further fronts next season
00:14when they could be in the Champions League as well as the domestic cups.
00:18I never make those guarantees about any player and it's not to do with Alex's future but I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.
00:26We want to keep our strongest players, I've said that for ever since I've been sat in this seat,
00:30we have to try and keep our best players and bring in more good players to make us even stronger
00:34because the ambition of the club and everyone connected with the club is long-term success
00:38and that's the only way to try and get that.
00:41Yeah, I think it's difficult because as soon as we get one or two injuries we're stretched
00:45and we've said that ever since I've been here and I think everyone's well aware that we are light.
00:52We lost two first-team players in January and didn't replace them
00:55and that's two players gone.
00:58And then you lose Kieran and Joe like we have, Lewis Hall, you notice those players missing
01:04and suddenly you do become, and Alex today, you do become stretched
01:07and then you lose your firepower from the bench to a degree.
01:12And Sunderland head coach Regis Labrides has made clear just how proud he is of his squad
01:18following what has been a memorable season for Sunderland that could still end in promotion
01:23back to the Premier League in the Championship play-off final
01:26after several years away from the top division for the Black Cats.
01:29I'm proud for the club, proud for the players because we worked so well this season
01:35that it's good to go all the way and to live a different experience
01:41and to have this opportunity to be promoted at the end.
01:45So just like it's well deserved because they worked well.
01:49We have talented players in the squad.
01:51They are really well connected.
01:52So we want to live this journey all the way.
01:59It started probably with previous experiences
02:02and now this ambition was really clear and sensitive during the season
02:09so they deserve.
02:11Now the question is to win the last game.