Eddie Howe says Newcastle’s ability to recruit loan signings from Saudi Arabia in January is “not the be all and end all” to their transfer plans.
Premier League sides voted in midweek not to prevent loan deals between clubs with the same ownership – Newcastle are owned by PIF, as are four clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
It was viewed as a win for the Magpies but Howe is more concerned with getting his current players fit given the added commitment of playing in this season’s Champions League.
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He said: “It was a Premier League vote, we weren’t the only club involved in that.
“The majority of clubs in the Premier League own other clubs around the world so it’s not solely on us. Newcastle as a club had a view, we voted that way and the vote came out the way it did.
“We are very relaxed on it, it’s not the be all and end all. We have a squad we really like and if we can get players fit before January the need to recruit will become less intense for us.”
When it was put to Howe that those transfer plans may have to be flexible depending on the injury situation, he added: “We’re going to have to be reactive. We have injuries in every area of the squad.
“Those decisions will be made towards the window opening, to formulate a plan now would be a mistake.”
Newcastle do have some players returning for the visit of Chelsea to St James’ Park tomorrow. Fabian Schar and Miguel Almiron are both in contention and Kieran Trippier is available despite returning early from England duty for “personal reasons”.
Newcastle are also hoping striker Alexander Isak will be fit following a groin injury.
Howe said: “We have to be sensible with what we ask him to do. He’s hugely important to us but we want him on the pitch. So that’s going to be important.”
“We’ve seen the best of him but the best is yet to come. Games like Tottenham last season we saw him at his best.”
