Graeme Jones wants important Newcastle role in Eddie Howe's 'elite' regime

Graeme Jones believes Eddie Howe is more than capable of taking on the Newcastle United job, and hopes to play a big part in his management team.

Jones takes charge of the third game of his temporary spell on Saturday as Newcastle travel to Brighton, but it's likely to be his last game in charge; 90min understands that deal has been agreed in principle for Howe to permanently succeed the sacked Steve Bruce at St James' Park.

Interim boss Jones insists he's not been told who the new manager will be though, and simply told his weekly press conference that Newcastle must appoint the right man if they are to achieve their aims.

“Appointing the right manager at this club is important," Jones said. "This juggernaut that is Newcastle you need to know how to do it, how the supporters think and this process could not have been avoided and eventually this will be worth it."

Jones has not worked directly for Howe, but he has worked with his long time former assistant Jason Tindall during a three-month spell at Bournemouth, before he accepted his role at Newcastle.

Howe wants to bring Tindall, Simon Weatherstone, Stephen Purches and Dan Hodges with him to Newcastle, and Jones confirmed that he's ready to work with them again - if indeed he is the man to take over.

“If it is Eddie, I think he is ideal without working with him. He lives for the game, you can’t come to Newcastle and be part time, he is intense and has exceptional Premier League experience and I am sure he is more than capable.

“I know their method of work, I know how they are. Eddie comes with a wealth of experience but it is not written in stone and nothing has been said or confirmed by the football club.

“Their method of work has been built up, when I went to work with Jason I got an inside view of what their method of work was, it is elite – and if it is correct, I would have to transfer. It was impressive and felt I learned, so we will just have to wait and see.

Jones added that he was convinced Newcastle's new owners had done an appropriate amount of due diligence when identifying Bruce's successor, while he also praised the style of football that Howe usually implements.

“It helps if you have history with people, but I was only interested in the right person, I am only interested in good of the club – whoever that maybe, I know the owners have done their due diligence, the more information you get the closer you are to getting the right answer.

“The style is high tempo, attacking football with momentum, very pragmatic so they would pay attention to off the ball and you are only as good as you defend. Sessions were good, innovative.

"I was with Tindall, Purches and Weatherstone and I imagine that came together under Eddie, so I have a good idea of what they do and it was elite work.”

Finally, Jones made it clear that although he's already has his role at the club assured, he wants to play a big part in Newcastle's future.

“I am not here to put cones out, I want to get my hands dirty and be involved, so we have to wait and see, so we cant talk about specific role yet."