Eddie Howe admits he wants to spend in January but has again repeatedly a familiar warning that a quiet trading period may be on the way for Newcastle United.

The Magpies chief has consistently stressed that his football club remains bound by strict profit and sustainability fears as the winter market approaches. This, after two successive transfer windows without seeing his first-team strengthened.

Former Newcastle United star, Shay Given, certainly knows what it feels like to play in a St James' Park side that hasn't been bolstered by welcomed additions and the goalkeeping legend was the man to quiz Howe on what could be around the corner for Newcastle next month.

READ MORE: Eddie Howe delivers January warning for Newcastle United and won't forget 'dark moments'

READ MORE: I would throw the book at Morgan Rogers for embarrassing Joelinton reaction

“If we can strengthen [in January], of course that would be our preference”, Howe said on Amazon Prime after the 3-0 win over Aston Villa. “You can never stand still in the game. The game evolves too quickly. We want to stay at the very top of that evolving feeling.

“But you can only do it if we can do it (spend). And if we can’t, we have to get the best out of the squad, which is what we’re doing.”

To spend, Newcastle will need to offload players too. Miguel Almiron, an unused sub in the Boxing Day rout, continues to attract interest, while current No 1 Martin Dubravka has admirers in the Middle East as he continues to deputise for the injured Nick Pope.

Talk also continues over the futures of Sean Longstaff, Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett and Callum Wilson.