Here's a round-up of your Newcastle United evening headlines on Friday, 21 January.
Pundits predictions as another tough afternoon expected for Newcastle United
Newcastle United are set to face another huge match in their battle to avoid the drop as they make the trip to Leeds United.
The Magpies will be looking for only their second win of the season and with fellow relegation rivals Watford and Norwich City also going head-to-head this evening, it could be the perfect weekend to get their season on track.
Eddie Howe will be hopeful of a much-improved performance from last week as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the Hornets thanks to Joao Pedro’s late header.
Opponents Leeds United, though, have started to build some momentum in recent weeks, earning back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side followed up their 3-1 win over Burnley earlier this month with an impressive 3-2 suucess. at West Ham United.
Newcastle looking at 'huge list' of transfer alternatives
Newcastle United are looking at a 'huge list' of alternative transfer targets but Eddie Howe has warned there is no 'guarantee' that the Magpies will make a breakthrough in the final 10 days of the window.
Newcastle have already brought in Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, but the pair may end up being the most straightforward signings the club make this month.
Atletico Madrid, after all, were willing to respect Trippier's wishes to return to the north of England while Burnley had no choice but to accept Newcastle's £25m bid after the black-and-whites triggered the release clause in the striker's contract.
Making a third signing has proved more difficult this week and Newcastle have, so far, been frustrated in their efforts to secure Sevilla defender Diego Carlos and Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard.
Newcastle still remain hopeful of landing those top targets before February 1, but the Magpies are also looking at other options at the same time.
Ralf Rangnick makes fresh comments on Jesse Lingard and confirms Newcastle United contact
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Newcastle United's pursuit of England international Jesse Lingard.
The deal looks like it will boil down to a permanent cash transfer for the 29-year-old winger with the Red Devils not keen on loaning him out and simply allowing him to run his contract down to expiry day in June.
That means either an astronomical loan fee or transfer package that would take Lingard of Man United's wage bill would be required.
At his Press conference today Rangnick stated that there were other clubs keen on Lingard but when asked about Newcastle's interest the ex-Schalke 04 boss said: "He's a really good player, it's normal - Newcastle showed interest in him but I am not the one dealing with that.
"The question is what Jesse wants to do - I wouldn't be unhappy if he stayed until the rest of the season.
"I couldn't say what will happen in the next 10 days."
Newcastle supremo Amanda Staveley confident of winning Mike Ashley legal case after £10m claim
Mike Ashley is trying to claim £10million from Newcastle United's new owners after claiming clauses were broken in the aftermath of his sale to the Middle East consortium.
The former Toon owner is suggesting that Amanda Staveley violated an agreement not to criticise his running of the club after the sale went through.
The Daily Mail's Vivek Chaudhury is reporting that Ashley has submitted documents to the High Court.
The document reads: "Mr. Ashley wanted protection against public criticisms of his tenure as ultimate beneficial owner of NUFCL (Newcastle United Football Club Limited) by new owners and / or managers of NUFCL because such criticisms carry particular weight."
Ashley has listed a series of media interviews in which he felt he was criticised.
Everything Newcastle boss said on transfers & injuries
Eddie Howe faced the media on Friday morning ahead of Newcastle United's huge game against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Newcastle blew the chance to move out of the relegation zone for the first time since September after drawing 1-1 against relegation rivals Watford last time out.
If that six-pointer was a must-win game, well, this trip down the A1 surely falls into the same category as Eddie Howe's side bid to record just their second victory of the campaign.
Howe will have to count on the same group of players after Newcastle were unable to make any further signings following the arrival of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood earlier this month.
Howe spoke about a frustrating week in the transfer market, and his hopes for the final week-and-a-half of the window at his pre-match press conference.
Eddie Howe open to relegation release clause
Eddie Howe says that Newcastle United will assess the needs of every possible transfer target when it comes to offering relegation release clauses.
The Magpies have been in talks with Manchester United's soon to be out of contract England international Jesse Lingard in recent days.
Although, Man United aren't keen on a loan deal and the move would have to be a permanent one from a Red Devils point of view.
The reality is that Lingard may insist on an exit clause were Newcastle to go down given the fact we are in a World Cup year and he will need to be playing top-flight football to win back his place in the squad.
When asked in general about that aspect of incoming deals, Howe told Chronicle Live: "With relegation release clauses we will always look at on an individual basis.
