No stone left unturned, vows Eddie

EDDIE Howe has vowed that no stone will be left unturned during Newcastle United’s January recruitment drive.

The Magpies’ boss and his players have been working in Jeddah on the training field but efforts continue behind the scenes on potential deals for targets such as Diego Carlos and Jesse Lingard.

For Howe, the sunshine trip to the Middle East is very much classed as a business venture rather than a jolly and he hopes to be leaving Saudi Arabia on Saturday with his squad bolstered.

Howe said: “We will be active right until the last day.

“So we will look to improve the squad.

“It is even more important now because we suffered three injuries. We are working.”

Newcastle signed off from their Premier League programme for 16 days with a much-needed win over Leeds at Elland Road.

The narrow victory, only Howe’s second in 11 matches since taking charge, put Newcastle just a point behind Norwich City.

If his side beats Everton in its next match it will climb above the Canaries in the table for at least 24 hours.

Norwich next play on February 9 at home to Crystal Palace.

However, there is genuine belief among the Tyneside public now that the club can stay up and after fans stayed in the ground for half an hour to celebrate after the 1-0 win at Leeds, Howe added: “Right from early in the game they were brilliant.

“Leeds can be a hostile atmosphere but I cannot pay enough compliments to that support.

“It does make you think what could be if we could bring consistent success.”

■ NEWCASTLE United have signed Isaac Westendorf after he enjoyed a successful trial period at the club.

The 19-year-old has joined the club on an 18-month deal.

Westendorf has featured in the under-23 side this season but now joins United permanently.

He was previously on the books of non-league side Barking.

Last summer Academy boss Steve Harper stated how Newcastle were looking to widen the net and scour the non-league circuit to find those who may have been missed by top clubs.

He said: “We just want to have that continuous improvement.”