Eddie Howe responds when asked about Sunderland joining Newcastle United in the Premier League

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Newcastle United vs Sunderland could be a Premier League fixture next season.

The two sides have not met in the top flight of English football since March 2016, with Newcastle United suffering relegation to the Championship that season.

As the Magpies returned to the top flight, Sunderland passed them on their way down.

Now the Black Cats have a chance to re-join Eddie Howe’s side in the Premier League, as they prepare to play Frank Lampard’s Coventry City in the Championship playoff semi-finals.

The first leg is at the CBS Arena on Friday night, with the return match at the Stadium of Light taking place on Tuesday. The winner will play against Sheffield United or Bristol City in the final at Wembley.

Eddie Howe ‘on the fence’ about Newcastle United vs Sunderland

With Sunderland now three games away from possibly being back in the Premier League, Eddie Howe has been asked about the prospect of two Tyne-Wear derbies next season.

However, the Newcastle United manager was very keen to not say too much about the Magpies’ biggest rivals.

“I think I was asked this yesterday and I very much sat on the fence,” Howe said during his pre-match press conference before Chelsea.

“If the games come, we’ll embrace the games.

“But it’s interesting to see the playoffs. Obviously I saw a bit of the game last night and I think the playoffs always add a lot of drama, so let’s wait and see.”

The last Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League

The last time Newcastle United played against Sunderland was last season.

The two sides met in the third round of the FA Cup, with Newcastle beating Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light. Alexander Isak scored twice, with that brace creating the chant ‘who put the ball in the Mackems’ net, Alexander Isak’.

It was a comfortable victory for the Magpies, as Eddie Howe’s side breezed past their local rivals in their own backyard.

But the last Premier League meeting ended in a draw at St James’ Park.

Rafa Benitez’s side came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Sunderland. Aleksandar Mitrovic cancelled out Jermain Defoe’s opener, as the points were shared.

The last time Newcastle United won a Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League was August 2011. The Magpies beat Sunderland 1-0 on Wearside, with Ryan Taylor scoring a free-kick.

That goal made him a cult hero in black and white.