Eddie Howe has scoffed at suggestions that Harvey Barnes is available for sale in the January window.

That was the view of former Tottenham, Blackburn and Sunderland scout Mick Brown who told Football Insider he expects Barnes to be transfer listed for PSR reasons this month. But Howe is keen to hold on to the £38million man and allow him chances to add to his five goals and one assist this term.

Howe, who could pick Barnes to play against Bromley from the start, wanted to address unsettling talk on the winger's future and said: "Harvey's been really unfortunate this year because he has played very well when he has been given the opportunity so I've got no issue with Harvey's performances – and that's quite rare when a player's not playing, that I can say he's performed really well.

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"Look at his goal tally – he's still up there as one of our leading scorers this season. The problem that I've had is fitting Harvey and Anthony Gordon into the same team, two outstanding players who play the same position.

"That's given me some long, I wouldn't say sleepless nights, but some big decisions that I've had to make. My love for Harvey is very strong, as it is for Anthony and the other players that play in that position.

"All he can do is when he plays is continue to do what he does, and that's score goals create chances for the team. If he does that to the very top of his level, I've always said I'll back him to play."

When asked about his chances of staying, Howe shrugged off talk that he would be sold to make ends meet PSR wise. The head coach said: "Yes. Harvey could easily get a run in the team, and I do believe he'll be a consistent goalscorer for us or goal creator for us because that's always been his way.

"When he's played this season, especially as a substitute, he's been fantastic for us. He's really scored some vital goals and made some big contributions to us winning or drawing games.

"I really respect him as a player and as a person. He's been great around the group. He's a vital player for us."

Brown had said: "They’re being forced to sell fringe players because of these financial issues. They’ve got a lot of players like Almiron and Harvey Barnes who haven’t sealed a first-team place, but are decent players for rotation.

"Under normal circumstances, if there were no other issues, that wouldn’t bother Newcastle. They’d be happy to keep them as fringe players who can come into the side as and when needed, but it isn’t like that at the moment. Newcastle don’t want to sell their star players, they want to keep their team as strong as possible."