Eddie Howe reacts to Callum Wilson's latest injury setback in terms of what it means for January transfers

It's easy for us outsiders to see the Callum Wilson injury and say "Right, Newcastle United need to go out and buy a striker in January", especially when there's still this narrative around Newcastle being the 'richest club in football'.

Unfortunately, the reality is a lot more complicated and infinitely more depressing than that. Profit and Sustainability Rules make it practically impossible for Newcastle to just go out and spend money, despite the vast wealth of their majority owners.

Therefore, to bring in a new striker, someone is likely going to have to be sold, but Newcastle have two kinds of players on their books at the moment.

These two types are: Superstars that could bring in a fortune, but losing them would cripple the team and everyone else who is just about good enough to keep the side competitive but are worth peanuts due to their age, fitness or ability.

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Eddie Howe says Newcastle must sell to buy this winter

The message coming out of the club regarding the January transfer window has been the same for a while now - there is unlikely to be any big business done by the club this winter.

Eddie Howe has once again confirmed as much during his pre-match press conference (via The Chronicle) when asked if Callum Wilson's latest injury has changed the plans for January.

"I don't think those things affect our ability to trade. In previous seasons that would be the case because I think you would react to what the team's delivering or an injury situation, but I think now with the trading world as it is, you're much less reactive, it's what you can do, not what you want to do,.

"I keep saying the same thing about January, I wouldn't expect us to be in a position to be too active in the market.

"As we currently stand up, things can change. You know, if we trade players, of course that's different, but if we don't trade players, I would expect us to be quiet."

Newcastle fans are becoming restless but it's worth remembering that it's not the club's fault

We have to sell to buy is once again the message which really is ridiculous given the spending power we could have were it not for these ridiculous PSR restrictions.

After the last two transfer windows in which the starting XI was not improved, we'd be astonished if some palpable effort isn't made to bring in at least one quality player in January in a bid to appease supporters, but again, it's restrictions placed upon the club that are preventing this, not the ambitions of the club itself.

Only time will tell how it all shakes out.