Eddie Howe explains why he has ‘no regrets’ over Newcastle United’s January transfer business

Eddie Howe is pleased with Newcastle United’s January transfer business - and insists he has no complaints or regrets.

The Magpies owners backed Howe with five new signings last month as he aims to achieve Premier League survival.

Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood arrived during the opening 13 days of the window before a busy end to the month saw a further three move to Tyneside.

The exciting arrival of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was confirmed on the penultimate day of January before Matt Targett and Dan Burn joined on deadline day.

Here’s every word Howe had to say on the January transfer window ahead of facing Everton at St James’ Park on Tuesday:

Ending the transfer window stronger

“Yeah, very pleased. I think we definitely end the window stronger as a team and squad.

“The beauty of what we’ve been able to do... signing five players seems a lot on the surface but I think we were able to drip-feed players into the team by not having to do it all at once and that was a key thing.

“Kieran (Trippier) and Chris (Wood) coming in quite early in the window was a really good thing so it feels like we’ve strengthened the group and haven’t destabilised the team which can be a very dangerous thing when you bring five in at once.

“Hopefully we haven’t fallen victim to that and the team can keep its consistency and perform really well.”

No complaints or regrets

“We were always looking at different positions and the window was very challenging. Things changed, especially in the last few days on a minute-by-minute basis but I can have no complaints, no regrets.

“The club have supported me and the team and tried to give us everything we needed to try and stay up. As I said, it wasn’t perfect but I think we’ve done the best we could given the circumstances.”

Recruiting the right players - and characters

“The additions we’ve made, I really like. I think they’ve got outstanding individual qualities but most importantly, every player we’ve signed are very good people.

“They’ve got a winning mentality, leaders in their own right and I think we needed to bring more of that into the group we already had.”

Glad January is over

“It was a unique month, let’s put it that way. The minute the window shut, my phone sort of had a breather.

“It was very intense and the challenge is the focus between the team, game and training you have - that’s always the priority for me against the window and the important decision you have to make. Hopefully, I got that right.

“I’m pleased it’s over, put it that way.”