EDDIE HOWE has ruled out the possibility of Newcastle United signing anyone this month – even though he accepts the departure of Miguel Almiron has “left the club light” on the right-hand side of their attack.

Almiron rejoined Atlanta United yesterday in a deal worth around £11m, which means Jacob Murphy is the only natural option in a wide-right role.

Howe admitted Almiron had been allowed to leave because of “PSR reasons” and has accepted that the Paraguayan will not be replaced this month.

While there has also been talk of Newcastle potentially looking at a new defender, there is a collective acknowledgment that there will not be a new arrival unless something totally unexpected happens ahead of Monday night’s transfer deadline.

“We knew this window, barring something huge happening that we didn’t expect, would be a window that we didn’t recruit in,” said Howe. “I said that right from the outset, and despite being linked with numerous players, that’s still the case.

“We’re not actively looking to bring players in, but hopefully the squad is in a decent place. If we can get Callum (Wilson) and Harvey (Barnes) back, fit and firing within a few weeks, then I think the squad will look good.”

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Nevertheless, as things currently stand, Newcastle are short of options in the final third. Will Osula is the only fit alternative to Alexander Isak at centre-forward, while the Magpies would also be struggling for cover if Murphy was to suffer an injury.

Not replacing Almiron is far from ideal, as Howe admitted ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal and an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Birmingham City sandwiched between league games against Fulham and Manchester City.

“We needed to do the deal (for Almiron),” said Howe. “That was PSR-related, that’s why we needed to do it. People are negotiating behind the scenes, and I think it’s a deal that suits the club and suits Miggy. He will get a fresh challenge, at a club he knows very well and has a good relationship with.

“It’s a deal we needed to do, although it does leave us a little bit short with regard to that position where Miggy played, and in the attacking areas in general with Callum injured. We’re certainly stretched in that area, but it was a deal that we needed to do.”