The January transfer Newcastle United are 'most likely' to complete after £52m blow

The January transfer window is nine days old and there's little to report on the Newcastle United front.

But could that change? Here, NewcastleWorld writer Jordan Cronin looks at when the Magpies could act and what positions they should strengthen.

Will there be any incomings at Newcastle this month?

One or two possibly, but the current expectation is for a quiet month at St James' Park. Those three words (yes you're sick of hearing them) Financial Fair Play is also set to restrict Newcastle having spent around £400million on transfers since PIF arrived in October 2021.

As explained by sporting director Dan Ashworth in November, United like to do most, if not all, of their transfer business in the summer and January is rather a month to plug gaps, if necessary, or act when opportunities arise such as Anthony Gordon 12 months ago.

With 10 senior players currently out injured, there is, of course, gaps in the squad but the hope is the majority of those unavailable players can return by the end of January or the start of February. Should any players suffer a setback or indeed join the absentee list, then Newcastle may be forced to act. That is why any potential signings would likely to arrive towards the end of the window.

There is a lot of noise surrounding Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. If there is to be any incomings, then he'd probably be the most likely with the England international understood to be on a move to Tyneside. However, negotiations between the two clubs haven't advanced yet.

Howe is hoping Joelinton isn't out for too long after he picked up a thigh issue against Sunderland on Saturday but he may decide to bolster his midfield regardless. Howe is already without £52million summer signing Sandro Tonali until August after the Italian was found guilty of illegal betting activity, while an Achilles injury has Joe Willock sidelined. And as sensational as Lewis Miley has been, the academy graduate is still only 17-years-old - he has many things to improve on and needs protected.

What positions do Newcastle need strengthen?

In a ideal world, a goalkeeper, central defender, central midfielder, wide forward and striker would be on Howe's wish list but all those positions wont be addressed until the summer at the earliest.

Right now though, the priority has to be a midfielder, as mentioned above, and a striker. The lack of a third choice option has taken its toll this season with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak both having periods out through injury.

As it stands, Isak is fit, firing and ranking as one of the best strikers in the Premier League. But Wilson isn't due back for another two weeks, so the Swede continues to carry the burden and with that present the risk of further injury.

That said, others might argue that the reduced amount games as a result of United's exit from European football will benefit the pair and they can pick up where they left off during the second-half of last season when they were rotating and firing on all cylinders.

Had I been asked the question above a couple of weeks ago then I'd have said the goalkeeper area needed addressing but Martin Dubravka has certainly came up trumps in the last seven days or so with outstanding displays away to Liverpool and Sunderland.