Eddie Howe says Newcastle are working with TWO midfielders less than he needs and wants to sign reinforcements.
The Magpies operated with a stable of six last season but have sold Sean Longstaff to Leeds and have lost Joe Willock for up to six weeks with a foot injury. That leaves Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley.
But given Newcastle play with three in midfield, a new signing in that area is fast becoming a matter of urgency.
‘We had six and we want six,’ Howe told Mail Sport. ‘Now we’re down to four, so that’s an issue for us. That is a position that we are looking in.
‘We don’t think Joe Willock’s injury is serious. I gave a prognosis of four to six weeks, but that could be less. But I think it is an area that is a bit of a concern.’
Tonali did not feature during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham here in Seoul after picking up a slight knee concern during the Far East tour.
Eddie Howe revealed Newcastle United are working with two less midfielders than he needs
Sandro Tonali didn’t feature in Newcastle’s game against Tottenham as a precaution
Howe says Joe Willock could return quicker than the initial prognosis of four to six weeks
But Howe said: ‘He’s fine, there is no issue there, it was just precautionary. He wanted to play but it was my decision to hold him back a little bit and just make sure his knee is OK.’
Meanwhile, Newcastle were still waiting for an answer from Benjamin Sesko on Monday morning. The RB Leipzig striker is their top target as replacement for Alexander Isak, who is trying to force a move to Liverpool.
We understand Newcastle have asked for a response within the next 24 hours, given they face Aston Villa a week on Saturday in the Premier League opener and will need to move onto other targets if Sesko wants to join Manchester United.
‘There’s not much time left (to get a player in for Villa),’ said Howe. ‘Especially when you consider you have to get any player up to speed with how we play, whoever comes in, and get into the intricacies of what we do. It is not easy for players to do that straight away.’
