Eddie Howe will be pleased with Newcastle United's January transfer business after sealing five signings.
The Magpies completed deals for Dan Burn and Matt Targett on deadline day, having previously confirmed the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.
Prospective moves for Hugo Ekitike and Jesse Lingard broke down in the final hours of Monday, but the five recruits present a number of new lineups and formations for the head coach now to consider.
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Howe has opted for a 4-3-3 system on most occasions so far, and it was a system which proved successful in the Magpies' last outing against Leeds United.
Newcastle remain a point adrift of safety having played more matches than relegation rivals Burnley, Norwich City and Watford.
Howe will need to find results in the remaining 17 fixtures, but will now feel he has options within the squad to adapt his side for each opponent.
The most pressing matter for the Magpies boss is who to leave out of his 25-man Premier League squad for the remainder of the season, but here is a look at the formations he could consider going forward.
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4-3-3
It is the formation which Howe has used most often so far, and one that has brought out the best of Joelinton in a box-to-box role.
Starting at the back, the deadline-day signings of Burn and Targett coupled with Trippier's earlier arrival mean there is almost certainly just one slot available to the original defenders.
Paul Dummett, captain Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar will likely battle among themselves for the right to partner Burn at the heart of defence.
Guimaraes is a defensive midfielder on paper, but his stats with Lyon prove he is capable of delivering at both ends of the pitch. The Brazil international's arrival likely means it is between Joelinton and Joe Willock for the box-to-box role.
Wood will continue as the lone striker in Callum Wilson's absence, with Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin in supporting roles. Dependent upon Howe's selection in midfield, Joelinton could also come into contention for one of the two wider roles.
4-4-2
The arrival of Wood has raised the possibility of Howe starting with two frontmen, a system he favoured during his time at Bournemouth.
Newcastle's defence would remain the same, and given the head coach's previous praise for Shelvey, a midfield duo of the former Liverpool man and Guimaraes would be likely.
Fraser and Saint-Maximin are the most natural fits for the wide roles with Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy providing competition, while Wilson could partner new signing Wood up front.
Joelinton and Willock would be the most likely casualties in this system from the 4-3-3 formation listed above. The Brazilian could be selected in a box-to-box role, a wide position or as a second striker, while Newcastle's only senior summer signing has already been used in a midfield two.
3-4-3
The use of a back five or three centre-backs came was much maligned under former head coach Steve Bruce, but it was a system which brought success towards the end of Rafa Benitez's stint at St James' Park.
Howe's preference for possession would likely lead him to select Schar and Burn in this formation, and it would allow Lascelles to take a central position where he previously enjoyed success under Benitez. Alternatively, the head coach could move Burn into the middle and select Dummett on the left side/
Trippier and Targett are the logical picks as wing-backs, with Joelinton or Willock providing the offensive threat from midfield alongside Guimaraes and Shelvey.
Fraser and Saint-Maximin would again support either Wilson or Wood up front.
3-5-2
Similar to the tweak described above, Howe will be confident he now has the options to field a front two while still maintaining three at the back.
Guimaraes' reputation to excel in both defence and attack could give the head coach confidence to select a strike partnership, with Joelinton and Saint-Maximin coming into contention with Wilson and Wood.
In the event that Howe has a fully fit squad to pick from, the likely concern with this system would be how to fit Saint-Maximin into a side along with Wilson and Wood.
The French attacker has often been selected as a striker this campaign, but would have to contend with a number 10 role and leave the defensive responsibilities to Guimaraes and Shelvey.
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