Eddie Howe issues Newcastle United transfer update after double long-term injury blow

Eddie Howe says Newcastle United must be ready to act in the January transfer window after losing two players to long-term injuries last week.

Fabian Schar has successfully undergone surgery on an ankle ligament injury after he was stretchered off during the 4-3 comeback win over Leeds United last Wednesday night.

A few days later, the Magpies then lost Tino Livramento to a hamstring injury in the FA Cup third round penalty shootout victory against AFC Bournemouth.

Schar is expected to be sidelined until April, while it’s been suggested Livramento will be out for eight weeks.

With Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn also unavailable, United have just four senior defenders available in Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall.

Newcastle United consider January move for defender

Of those players, Burn is closest to returning but with the Blyth-born defender still thought to be two weeks away and numbers still low even when he’s back, Newcastle are considering dipping into the market.

Asked the injuries had altered the club’s January transfer plans, Howe said: “Yes, possibly, and of course we've got, hopefully, Dan coming back, which will be a big boost for us in the not-too-distant future, but then we have to make a decision with the amount of games we have to come, what's the likelihood of us picking up more injuries in those positions.

“Hopefully that's not something we have to deal with, but it's very difficult to predict. But I think we have to be ready to act, and I know there's a lot of work being done in that case.”

But the Magpies won’t be pressurised into thinking short-term, vowing to only sign a player who fits into the long-term strategy.

Howe added: “I think it's very fluid at the moment. Yes, I'd say we're still in that watching, holding pattern, and we'll wait and see what happens in the last few weeks.

“All options are available to us. We're trying to make the right decisions collectively. I've said this so many times, so you're bored of me saying it, but there's a lot to consider.

“Summer activity, January activity, value for money, the right players being available, so we'll take all that into account and try and make the right decision.”

Eddie Howe explains Newcastle United’s PSR situation

Howe confirmed there is money to spend this month.

“I will react to the information that I'm given, and collectively we'll come to the right decisions,” Howe said.

“I don't think it's a case of there's a pot of money standing somewhere, I think PSR is constantly moving and changing depending on our income. So lots of things affect our income, whether we're in the Champions League, how successful we are through the season, so it's constantly changing.

“You can't ever sort of get one reading on it because it changes on a daily basis, so we're having to react and change to that ourselves as we go through the season.

“All I can assure everybody is, and I've said this so many times, that if there is money to spend, the club are willing to spend it. There's not a case of anyone holding anything back, but of course we've got to comply within the rules, we know how important that is.”

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