The Gazette looks at the contract end dates for Newcastle United’s first-team squad.

Newcastle United are facing some major decisions over the futures of several long-standing members of their playing squad over the coming months.

There is a fresh feel around the Magpies ranks after the likes of Lukas Hornicek, Sean Steur and Amar Dedic were all handed long-term deals when they arrived at St James Park during the summer transfer window. However, there are still several players that were signed during Mike Ashley’s tumultuous ownership that are still part of the United squad.

The likes of Fabian Schar, Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock have all experienced the highs and lows of life on Tyneside throughout the last decade - but they are now approaching the final six months of their existing deals and decisions must be taken over their futures. Murphy is believed to be in line to receive a 12-month extension to his deal - although there have been claims that is to ensure United could receive a fee for his services should any club show an interest over the coming months.

Willock continues to draw interest from Besiktas and there is speculation suggesting that could lead to a pre-contract agreement in the new year before the midfielder could make a free transfer switch to Turkey at the end of the season. There have been claims Willock has already agreed personal terms with Besiktas, meaning Newcastle would have to strike a new deal with the midfielder in order to prevent a move.

Schar’s time as a Magpie could be coming to a close after he established himself as one of the best value-for-money signings made in the club’s recent history and decisions must be taken over captain Dan Burn and goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Nick Pope.

But when do the contracts of other Newcastle United players come to a close and who could be at risk of being lost on a cut-price deal?