Paul Mitchell addresses Eddie Howe’s Newcastle future amid England interest [Video]

Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell insists his club are not “scared” by the prospect of Eddie Howe being offered the England job but stressed that the Magpies head coach remains a central part of the Magpies’ evolving long-term strategy.

Lee Carsley will take charge of the national team for the first time on an interim basis against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday but Howe, who is held in high regard at the Football Association, remains one of the favourites to be appointed as permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.

Mitchell, who has been building his relationship with Howe since being appointed at St James’s Park in early July, said: “I’ve never been scared of interest in any of our staff members, especially our head coach, and especially from a level of organisation that the FA is.

“We want Eddie Howe as our head coach for as long as we can. But we recognise that we …