Exclusive: Newcastle consider free agent duo as instant signings with Howe seeking quick fix to injury issues
Xeka and Almamy Toure are two transfer options for Newcastle
Xeka and Almamy Toure are two transfer options for Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is looking at a pair of free agents as he looks for a rapid fix to the club’s injury issues, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk.
Howe has done a remarkable job since taking the St James’ Park reigns just over two years ago, steering the club from the bottom three of the Premier League and into the Champions League. However, the high-octane football demanded by Howe is starting to take its toll at Newcastle with the club currently missing nine players through injury.
Indeed, Harvey Barnes (foot), Callum Wilson and Matt Targett (both hamstring), Dan Burn and Elliott Anderson (both back), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Sven Botman (knee), Alexander Isak (groin) and Javier Manquillo (groin) will all be absent from the side to take on Bournemouth on Saturday.
Of those nine, only Wilson has an outside chance of featuring, though it is unlikely Howe will risk him against his former club.
And with Bruno Guimaraes seving a one-match ban and also missing Saturday evening’s game after collecting a fifth caution of the season, he also joins Sandro Tonali on the sidelines, with the Italian seeing his season ending early in the wake of a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations.
As a result, Howe suddenly finds his resources extremely stretched with the club struggling under the weight of competing on four fronts this season.
To that end, the January window will provide Newcastle with an opportunity to bring in some much-needed reinforcements to bolster their ranks.
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