Howe admits he can’t add to his Newcastle squad without selling

Eddie Howe has promised the Newcastle hierarchy will not ignore their role as "guardians of the club's future" as they attempt to negotiate a path through a transfer window minefield.

The big-spending Magpies have found themselves thrust into the limelight in recent weeks amid speculation that one of their biggest names could be sold as they juggle the restrictions imposed by profit and sustainability and financial fair play rules with their desire to strengthen their squad.

More than £400 million has been spent on transfers since the club's Saudi-backed owners took charge at St James' Park in October 2021 and, with the club having reported losses in excess of £70m for each of the twomostrecentfinancialyears, chief executive Darren Eales has admitted that even their biggest names have their price.

However, asked what would be his desired scenario for the remaining few days of what has proved a difficult January window, head coach Howe said: "Keeping the squad intact and, as the manager, trying to produce a team to win games would be the one for me.

"But we are guardians of the club's future and we want to make the right decisions for the club's future and for FFP. We don't want to breach FFP.

"That is where I will support the decisions that are made for the long term and that will benefit the club."

Howe, whose side visit Aston Villa on Premier League duty tonight, added: “[The prospect of ] no new arrivals increases with every passing hour. Probably what we won't do is bringing a player in without losing a player the other way, I think that's impossible."