Keith Downie shares what Eddie Howe told him in one-to-one interview today regarding potential January transfers

Newcastle United have yet to make any meaningful moves in the January transfer market in terms of incomings, and even when it comes to outgoings, it has only been Under-21 players who have left the club so far.

Fans are itching to see some movement this month after a below-average first half of the season and particularly amid an injury crisis which has devastated Eddie Howe's defensive options.

Howe has toed the party line in interviews and press conferences when asked about transfers. That being that the club will not spend money this month to fix short-term problems.

That stance has softened in the last few days, and it's now believed that the club are willing to spend to bring in a defender this month, but they have to be a player who fits the profile that they were already looking at, it's not going to be a case of bringing someone in for the sake of it.

Eddie Howe gave Keith Downie a more definitive answer when asked about potential transfers

That was pretty much the message Howe put out in Friday morning's press conference, too, but Sky Sports' Keith Downie sat down for a one-on-one interview with the Toon gaffer, and the answer he got when he asked that same question yielded a slightly different answer, according to Downie.

"In the one-to-one I did with him, he said they're seriously considering what to do with regards to bringing in another player and what I would suggest is another defender.

"He has said they're having lots of meetings, himself, Ross Wilson, the recruitment department, and they're seriously considering bringing someone in due to the fact that, as I say, (Tino) Livramento, (Kieran) Trippier is just back from injury. (Emil) Krafth's still out. The defence is pretty much depleted at the moment. And I said this in a video the other day that I think it would be a mistake not to bring in a defender now."

Will one player be enough for Eddie Howe this month?

All signs point towards the club looking at a right-sided defender who could cover Malick Thiaw and Fabian Schar, which would make sense given that Dan Burn is so close to a return.

There's a feeling that a left-back may not be a bad addition either, as Lewis Hall has nobody to cover for him, especially with Tino Livramento out injured.

Whether the club are able to pull off a surprise and bring in more than one player, only time will tell, but if we don't get a move on, we'll end up with nobody.