The Newcastle manager admitted his players "owe" supporters a victory after a disappointing display in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign. That defeat 1-0, played at the Stadium of Light, saw Sunderland seize North-East bragging rights, with an unfortunate Nick Woltemade own goal proving decisive.

Compounding matters, Newcastle had entered that contest visibly fatigued after a demanding Champions League trip to Germany, a factor Howe believes contributed to the below-par performance. The result intensified scrutiny on the manager, with sections of the fanbase voicing frustration in its aftermath.

Now, with another derby looming, the stakes are considerably higher. Newcastle remain in a tight battle for European qualification, targeting places in either the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League. Failure to secure a positive result could significantly dent their Premier League ambitions.

Howe acknowledged the dual importance of the fixture, describing it as both an emotional test of local pride and a critical moment in determining the club's competitive trajectory.

"I don't think there's any doubt about it. We didn't reach the standards and level of performance that we would pride ourselves on," said Howe when asked about the last encounter with Sunderland.

"And the main thing, you just heard me say it many, many times over the years, is effort, commitment. You know, winning our individual duels, winning the battle on the pitch.

"You can do all those things and still lose, but you leave with a feeling that we left it all out on the pitch.

"And nine times out of ten this season, albeit so many games, I feel the players have delivered that. That was one of a collection of small games, I think, this year, where we've been disappointed with ourselves.

"And then it's a process you go through to sort of mourn that loss and that performance and then analyse it and come back stronger. And that's what we've tried to do."

Mason Mount and Raphael Varane return to training for Manchester United