Transfer stance change, injury care & Ashworth future

Newcastle United's winter break is in full swing as Eddie Howe's senior stars jet around the globe to enjoy a well-earned break. Anthony Gordon has been spotted courtside at the NBA, Bruno Guimaraes and his family took in DisneyLand Paris earlier this week, while Lewis Miley has opted for some time at home, working on his fitness behind the scenes. Gordon said he was 'desperate' for a break after a hectic festive period, while Callum Wilson has admitted Newcastle stars are keen to spend a bit of time away from one another.

Howe, on the other hand, joked he would love another game to get his teeth stuck into after the late agony of the Manchester City defeat. But with 10 days until the Magpies' next outing, the Newcastle boss will no doubt be hard at work plotting his side's FA Cup tie away to Fulham. So, what will be on Howe's Benton to-do list before then?

Sign a midfielder

Surely, despite the ongoing battle to remain FFP-compliant, Newcastle must go out and sign a midfielder this month. Howe's options in the middle of the park were already looking scarce before Joelinton's injury, which looks set to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign. Given Bruno Guimaraes' impending two-game suspension the next time he receives a yellow card, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson's continued absences and Sandro Tonali's lengthy expulsion, Howe is facing the prospect of having Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff as his only two out and out central midfielders.

Some have suggested a change of shape for the north east outfit, potentially switching from Howe's trusted 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 to ease the need for fit and firing midfield options. However, the Newcastle boss is yet to waiver from his tried and tested method since arriving at St James' Park. It is common knowledge that Newcastle continue to be wary over their transfer spend, with a GBP73m loss posted in last week's accounts for the 2022/23 campaign.

The ideal plan would be to keep the powder dry until the summer, when the financial situation may look more promising. However, like with the winter arrival of Gordon 12 months ago, Newcastle may have to jump the gun and bring forward some of the allotted summer kitty to ensure a lack of action doesn't lead the season to end with a whimper.

Take care of returning players

Thankfully it is not all doom and gloom on the injury front, with Howe hopeful of welcoming some returning stars back into the fold in the coming weeks. Callum Wilson, sidelined since early December, is hoping to be back in action by the end of the month after a phased, patient return over the turn of the year.

Harvey Barnes has been back out on the grass running but is yet to train with his team-mates recently after a strange toe injury suffered in September. The winger has been closing in on a return a number of times but has been hit with setbacks along the way. Joe Willock and Matt Targett have been training at Benton during the break, returning from Achilles and hamstring issues respectively.

Willock's return is especially crucial given the current lack of options in the middle. After such rotten luck on the injury front, it is essential Newcastle ease these returning stars. Dan Burn, Alexander Isak and Sean Longstaff have all been rushed back sooner than anticipated earlier in the campaign, returning to the fold to add bodies to a fragile and thin squad.

Dan Ashworth's future

Speculation surrounding Dan Ashworth's future has been in the headlines of late, with Manchester United's interest apparent following INEOS' 25 per cent purchase of the Red Devils.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford know the Newcastle chief well and will no doubt have an enticing offer for Ashworth should he decide to jump ship. Newcastle have publicly backed the former England chief to remain on Tyneside, with CEO Darren Eales last week admitting he hoped of a long working relationship together at St James' Park. But the rumours persist and are a cloud hanging over the club at present.

A vote of confidence from the man himself would do wonders to ease the panic among supporters over a potential premature exit. "So obviously Dan, he's spoke on the record recently about being happy in the project. We go back to our days at West Bromwich Albion where we worked together," Eales told reporters earlier this month. "Dan's done a great job, there's a lot more work to be done and we're hopeful he's here for the long term.

He's certainly enjoying his time at the moment."

References

1. ^ Newcastle United transfers news LIVE - Magpies 'enquire' over Bayern ace & Liverpool's Bruno call (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
2. ^ Newcastle have 'hidden' Sandro Tonali defence as it's 'difficult' to find out (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)