Eddie Howe says that Newcastle United must use the January window to ensure they are adequately equipped for the second half of the season - and knows that injuries could play a part in his plans.
Howe has lost Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Targett for the foreseeable future but still hopes to have them back in his thinking before the end of the season. This time last year United were ready to go with the addition of Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid but despite the two injury setbacks there is less urgency in the camp this winter.
When asked if the squad was strong enough to get through January without signing anybody, Howe said: "If we didn't sign anybody, I love the group. I think we have a really strong team.
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"The thing we have to guard against is injuries at this time of year. And every player we lose is a hammer blow. That does open up potential weaknesses in the squad.
"We are very aware of that. I think with Jonjo Shelvey's injury and Matt Targett neither of them are long-term so we will get them back. Obviously you have to think about that as well."
Howe unveiled Trippier, Chris Wood, Matt Targett, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes last January. Two or three additions could still be added this winter but Howe spoke about the one big requirement for any new recruits.
Howe said: "Definitely the character of player and person is hugely important. "Any business or organisation, or group of people, the character of the people we are bringing into that team is hugely important. We have a really good togetherness and feel and we don't want to endanger that."
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