Eddie Howe intends to keep Newcastle United’s depleted squad together during the January transfer window, despite heavy injuries. With seven first‑team players sidelined and key fixtures ahead, Howe is reluctant to weaken options further and is preparing to review any transfer business only once the injury situation becomes clearer.
Newcastle face Manchester United on Boxing Day while still coping with a long list of absentees, including several starters. The Premier League window opens next week, yet Howe is focusing on short‑term squad stability. The head coach is planning around the gradual return of injured players rather than planning major January departures.
Discussing possible signings, Howe stressed that plans remain flexible and will
depend on medical updates across the squad. Howe said: "I think it is going to be a consistently moving thing for us. I've had a brief discussion, I wouldn't say detailed at the moment, because we don't know how we are going to look injury-wise as we turn the year. We have a group of players that are going to be very close to coming back around that time, so that will obviously impact our business, so keeping very much an open mind at this stage. "
Howe also addressed potential outgoings and made clear that keeping depth is the priority. He told reporters: "It's not high on my agenda, with the squad we currently have, to be losing players. I think we will see as players return from injury, there is no certain thing until they are actually back and performing. But if there is anyone in the squad that we feel would, between us and them, benefit from going, then we will certainly look at it from an individual basis. "
The injury list now includes Tino Livramento, who is being assessed for a knee problem, alongside Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Dan Burn and Sven Botman. These setbacks leave Newcastle short in defence and in goal, which is one reason Howe is cautious about sanctioning exits, even for squad players seeking more minutes.
Livramento’s situation is still being evaluated, and Newcastle are awaiting full medical feedback before setting any timeline. Howe explained: "There is quite a bit of information on Tino, and we're waiting to get full clarification, Howe said. We are hoping it's not serious at all and he can resume training quite quickly, but before sort of confirming that, we want to be sure that we are right. Hopefully it's good news. "
Eddie Howe on Tino Livramento: It's a difficult one because there's quite a bit of information on Tino. Were waiting to get full clarification. Were hoping its not serious at all and he can resume training quite quickly. But before confirming that, we want to be sure that pic.twitter.com/KxivFZYeJZNewcastle United (@NUFC) December 23, 2025
Howe is also hopeful about progress for Nick Pope and Sven Botman, although both still need training time. Howe said: "There's a chance [Nick Pope is back in the squad]. He hasn't trained yet, I hope that he might train, so let's see how he does. Sven would be in the category of a group of players that are doing well, and again, we hope to get him back pretty soon. When that day is, I am not 100% sure. He hasn't trained with the group yet. But potentially good news, he is not too far away. "
With several players edging closer to fitness and the Boxing Day meeting with Manchester United approaching, Newcastle United’s planning for the January transfer window remains cautious. Howe is keeping options open on signings, but protecting squad depth, while medical updates on Livramento, Pope, Botman and others continue to shape the club’s short‑term strategy.
