What Newcastle United's owners haven't told Eddie Howe ahead of January transfer window

Eddie Howe admits he's had no assurances from Newcastle United owners on whether there will be money to spend in January.

The Magpies have suffered a major dip in form in recent weeks with six defeats in seven matches seeing Howe's men exit both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and drop to ninth in the Premier League table.

The demand of three games a week between September and December has taken its toll on Howe's squad amid an ever-growing injury list. As it stands, United will head into the New Year with nine players ruled out.

Newcastle could benefit from the winter market, which opens in three days' time. However, Howe is yet to know his budget but is aware that finances will be dictated by Financial Fair Play rules.

"No, we haven’t had those assurances," said Howe, who spoke to the media ahead of the New Year's Day trip to Liverpool (kick-off 8pm).

"It’s a difficult month as we always say when January comes around. I apologise if I sound like I’m saying the same things but it’s a very difficult month to bring in quality players. Financial Fair Play continues to play a part in our decision-making but let’s wait and see."

He added: "FFP is something that I'm still coming to terms with, to understand myself, I think everyone is related to the game because there are so many parts to it that are always moving. I'm not going to give you a clear answer to that.

"I think FFP is very active in our thoughts, we're trying to navigate it and work around it. So we'll wait and see."

Newcastle have spent around £400million since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Partners and RB Sports & Media bought the club from Mike Ashley in October 2021.

United added Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall to their squad in the summer - the former two are currently unavailable - while Anthony Gordon arrived six months earlier from Everton in a deal worth £45m.

Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips and David de Gea, who remains a free agent after leaving Manchester United in the summer, have been linked with temporary moves to St James' Park.