Newcastle United's January mistake comes back to haunt…

Newcastle United's January mistake comes back to haunt them sooner than anticipated

“No window is perfect, and I don’t think this window has been perfect for us. That’s just the reality of the situation. You have to look at things from a position of everybody’s needs and wants. We’re maybe light in a couple of areas, but we do have a lot of quality within the squad.”

Those were Eddie Howe's words as he assessed Newcastle United's January business following Jonjo Shelvey's Deadline Day exit. Fast forward less than two weeks and the Magpies are now even lighter in the middle of the park.

After losing Bruno Guimaraes for three games due to his red card against Southampton, lady luck clearly isn't shining on the Magpies at present as Howe now faces the thought of being without Joe Willock for an even longer period of time. Tests will be conducted on the 23-year-old following a suspected hamstring injury but the Toon boss wasn't hopeful when assessing the blow at full-time.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but Newcastle really, really needed to sign another midfielder in the final few days of the window. With each passing day, the decision not to replace Shelvey looks increasingly like a mistake.

Newcastle were keen to keep their powder relatively dry ahead of what promises to be a busy summer on Tyneside but the failure to replenish a depleted area of the pitch could be the difference between finishing in the top four or not. The north east outfit, still looking value for a Champions League spot, need to keep their fingers crossed the injury gods are on their side in the coming months.

Howe, as ever, will look at the positives. The January window is gone, you can't change the past and a solution must be found. Guimaraes' return in time for the cup final and beyond will be a huge boost, while Sean Longstaff continues to go from strength to strength in this setup.

Joelinton enjoyed another fine performance in the frustrating 1-1 draw on the south coast, making more successful ball recoveries (10) than any other Newcastle United player on Saturday. Fingers and toes will be well and truly crossed when it comes to that trio's fitness between and the summer.

One thing the January window did bring was the arrival of £40m man Anthony Gordon. Brought off the bench twice in a Newcastle shirt so far, his energy and movement with and without the ball has been impressive.

Gordon replaced Willock in the first-half against Bournemouth and slotted into the No 10 role, with Longstaff and Joelinton forming a pivot at the base of the midfield. A system not deployed all too often by Howe but likely to be the one used against Liverpool this weekend.

The only other option currently at Howe's disposal is Elliot Anderson. The youngster, who impressed enough over the summer to stay on Tyneside, is yet to really receive a proper run in the senior side due to injury niggles at the start of the season.

Anderson has looked lively in fits and starts but is yet to prove he is capable of performing week in, week out in the top flight. Howe is convinced he is ready.

“He’s had a few niggles, a few calf problems, thigh problems. These were one or two-day injuries which set back his rhythm of training, so I don’t think he’s had a really fluid period," the Newcastle boss said earlier this month.

"I think now, in training, you can see the very best of him, similar to what we saw in pre-season. So I think, from a physical perspective, he’s looked stronger."

Shelvey admitted this week he was initially told 'no' when he asked Howe if he could join Nottingham Forest. Nobody expected that decision to backfire this soon after the January window.

Our 48-page Carabao Cup final special is available to pre-order now! Click HERE to get your copy as Newcastle United prepare for a historic day out at Wembley. Also available to purchase through local participating retailers from February 15.

Newcastle United's January mistake comes back to haunt them sooner than anticipated

READ NEXT