Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa's futures discussed by Eddie Howe

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe spoke to the media on Friday morning ahead of Sunday's Premier League game at Nottingham Forest.

One of the big questions looming over the club at the moment is what's going to happen with Newcastle's £124 million strike force of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade next season?

Newcastle spent an insane amount of money on two strikers in the summer, and neither can get into the side, currently. 

Yoane Wissa has made a couple of extended cameos in recent games, and in the last two matches, the former Brentford man has spurned huge chances to add to his tally, while Nick Woltemade stormed down the tunnel after the win against Brighton, having not even made it off the bench.

Fans have been wondering what's going on with both players for a while, and rumours that either or even both could be sold in the summer continue to gather pace.

Howe: I want to keep Wissa and Woltemade

Eddie Howe was asked on Friday if he still sees a future at Newcastle United for £124 million duo Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

The boss insisted that he does hope to keep both, but did admit that it could come down to what the players want to do, which felt like a potentially telling line.

"Yes, I do (think both will be at Newcastle next season). 

"It's difficult for me to give absolute certainty to that because the players themselves will have a big say in that as well. 

"But my wish is that they are both here."

New signings should be given time

It's good that Eddie Howe isn't closing the door on either of them. We feel that both were already on the back foot when they arrived, as they both joined when the season was already underway. 

On top of that, Newcastle's busy fixture schedule meant there was no time for proper training sessions, so even if Wissa had not been injured for four months, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to fully integrate, like Woltemade hasn't.

With a full pre-season schedule and plenty of time to work on ideas, both players could really come good next season, and Eddie Howe obviously still believes that. In the press conference, he said as much about Anthony Elanga, who has also struggled this season, even though he came in relatively early in the window.

It would be crazy for Newcastle to spend £250 million, only to throw all of that investment on the heap after one season because it didn't immediately transport the club to the next level. 

All the summer signings should be given another shot next season, especially when there are no guarantees that whoever we bring in this summer won't have a similar period of adjustment.