Update on Eddie Howe's future as The FA appear to have made a huge call on England boss

Since Gareth Southgate stepped down as England manager in the summer Eddie Howe's name has been at the top of many an outlet's list of potential replacements.

The Newcastle United boss is considered one of, if not the best English coaches in the game so naturally Howe is being mentioned in conversations about taking over the helm as national coach.

Eddie Howe has distanced himself from the job several times without fully closing the door on the idea, and it has been a similar sort of message from higher-ups at the club - "we want Eddie Howe for a long time but we won't stand in his way" is pretty much the party line.

Now, though, Craig Hope has said in his recent Inside Newcastle piece for the Daily Mail that Newcastle fans may have nothing to worry about.

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The FA haven't approached Eddie Howe as yet

A lot of fans have felt pretty assured that Eddie Howe won't leave to take up the England role for a myriad of reasons, but there have definitely been moments where that confidence has taken a knock.

But Craig Hope strongly believes that interim England boss Lee Carsley will be handed the role on a permanent basis before the year is out.

He states that The FA have not approached Eddie Howe about the job while they have spoken to other candidates beyond Lee Carsley.

Lee Carsley has got off to a good start as interim boss

Of course, this doesn't mean that The FA won't come knocking for a chat, but the feeling is that it's much easier for them to speak with out-of-work managers such as Graham Potter.

Nothing is 100% certain, but Lee Carsley has made a pretty good start to life in the hot seat, albeit against weaker opposition, but he has the respect of a lot of the players and the fans have been excited by his squad selection as he's showing new ideas.

We've always believed that Howe wouldn't turn his back on the daily grind of club management just yet and that he's got too many goals at Newcastle that he's yet to reach to walk away so soon.