Magpies ready to plunge into the market

NEWCASTLE

- By LEE RYDER

United boss Eddie Howe has admitted that he may have to dip into the transfer market in January to address their chronic injury crisis.The Magpies go into the game against Chelsea this afternoon looking likely to field Lewis Miley at right-back and potentially fielding reserve team prospect Alex Murphy at left-back. Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Jameal Lascelles, and Tino Livramento are all injured until early 2026, and Lewis Hall is touch and go.

Howe has considered recalling Matt Targett from a loan deal at Middlesbrough but after the player said goodbye to his teammates in the summer, with his contract up at Newcastle up this season, it does not feel like a feasible option.

After club backers PIF pumped in £45m ahead of the January window, there is hope that new additions can ignite Newcastle's season.

But they start the festive period slumped in 12th place and Howe has warned his squad that must improve.