Newcastle’s Saudi-led owners visited the team dressing room after FA Cup loss to Cambridge

Newcastle were given a dressing room talk by their Saud-led consortium after the Magpies were stunned by League One side Cambridge United, who secured a 1-0 win at St James’ Park on Saturday. 

Joe Ironside netted on 56 minutes in front of Yasir Al-Rumayyan, whose Public Investment Fund owns 80pc of the club. 

Rumayyan, along with Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi visited the dressing room after the match, it has been revealed by boss Eddie Howe.

The Magpies’ Saudi-led owners visited the dressing room after the match it has been revealed 

The Cambridge United players celebrated the win after the match on the St James’ Park pitch

‘They did pop in to see the players. I personally wasn’t in there for that, then they saw me with my coaching team after.

‘I believe they were very supportive to the players, highlighting the fact we’re very much in this fight to stay in the league together, and they’re very much behind everybody. I can’t thank them enough for that support’, Howe said. 

‘I think it was really beneficial for the players to be able to see that and hear that because this journey we’re going on currently and this fight we’re in to stay in this division is a united effort from everybody at the club.

‘The supporters are playing their part, no doubt, they’ve been magnificent, and the owners wanted to show their support for the players, which is really welcome for me.’ 

There was more misery for Howe and Newcastle after it emerged Callum Wilson will be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a calf injury.

‘There is a gap there and everyone has to stand up and fill that gap. Losing Callum was a blow and Dwight Gayle. When you lose Callum we are left without a recognised striker. Today I felt we missed that focal point. It didn’t really work.

‘The longer we went without a goal, confidence dipped. The body language and attitude was good from the players. We were not good enough in front of goal.’

Manager Eddie Howe and his coaching staff face relegation threatened Watford next week

Newcastle’s owners looked on as they watched their side suffer a shock defeat on Saturday

Newcastle face relegation threatened Watford next week in a crucial clash at the bottom of the Premier League table.

The former Bournemouth has stressed he doesn’t want the shock result to impact his side going into the clash with the Hornets.

‘My big thing is not to let it derail next week. There is no issue with the attitude. The big thing is not to damage what is ahead of us.

‘We are devastated for the fans, a full house and atmosphere. We feel their pain and I want to repay their support and faith by winning games.’