Eddie Howe raves about 'brilliant' Newcastle United winger after Player of the Month nomination

Newcastle United have two representatives in the April Player of the Month competition, with Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy both up for the award.

The wide men have been massively important for Newcastle United this season with Jacob Murphy finding a new lease of life in 2025 and becoming world-class all of a sudden.

Meanwhile, Harvey Barnes is keeping first-choice Anthony Gordon out of the side down the left flank after a run of games in which he's racked up six goal contributions in April alone.

There's not a lot to choose between the two for our pick for the Player of the Month, but we'd just give it to Barnes as he's coming into the side and hitting the ground running, whereas Murphy's form is a continuation of his excellent form since December.

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Eddie Howe says Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes will play a huge part in the remaining games

Eddie Howe obviously didn't make a choice between the two when asked about their nominations in Friday morning's press briefing (h/t The Chronicle), but he had plenty to say about both players.

"It's been very different how their seasons have unfolded. I think Jacob's really grown into his position, I think he's developed real strengths and real strengths the teams needed.

"So his crossing ability, I think first and foremost, has been a massive strength for us. Playing a right footer on the right-hand side brings real characteristics that I think we've needed - like the ability to cross early behind teams' back line.

"He's got a really good relationship with Alex [Isak], he's contributed a number of assists for him, which is great to see, and I just think his confidence levels have grown from what he's delivered.

"I don't think there's any doubting the two players' abilities, but certainly not internally anyway, not from us as coaches who get to see them every day.

"I'm really pleased that Harvey's had the opportunity to showcase his skills. He's just a brilliant finisher, a brilliant goal scorer, and every team needs those players on the pitch. So I'm delighted with their progress and they're gonna be important in these last 4 games."

Harvey Barnes is showing the benefit of having two top players per position

Harvey Barnes is making a very strong case to remain on Tyneside, with many people wondering if he'd be sold at the end of the season due to Anthony Gordon's dominance in that position.

However, Eddie Howe has always maintained that he wants two top players for each position, and he has that on the left flank. It would be a strange move to let Barnes go just because he's not guaranteed a place in the starting XI.

The fact that Barnes is keeping Gordon out of the side now shows how important it is to have those two players for each position.