Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey believes that the Magpies need another defensive midfield player amid speculation that the club are linked with Amadou Diawara at Roma.

Diawara featured for AS Roma on 28 occasions last season in all competitions, scoring one goal, and according to Corriere dello Sport,Tottenham, Leicester and Newcastle were all keen on the defensive midfielder this summer.

Journalist Ekrem Konur has reported that Wolves had begun talks with Roma over a one-year loan move for the 24-year-old, so it appears there is currently plenty of competition for his signature.

And Former Magpie Howey believes that Newcastle need to sign another defensive midfielder, exclusively telling Transfer Tavern: “I think we need another defensive midfield player.

"Yeah, just someone to sit in front. I like Hayden, I think he does a good job there, I think he played in three positions against West Ham, but it will be nice for him to maybe have somebody alongside him to help and I think if you’ve got that back four, stroke five and then two, one can maybe drift up a little bit. 

“At least you’ve got that protection if Newcastle are on the attack and then you can actually show the other lads a bit further forward to give a little bit more help to Callum Wilson, because sometimes I feel as though he is just too isolated, so another defensive midfield player will be ideal.”

Newcastle have made one summer signing during this transfer window, with Joe Willock joining the club permanently from Arsenal after an impressive loan spell last season.

Steve Bruce's side have lost both of their Premier League fixtures so far this season, conceding six goals in the process, and are preparing to host Southampton at St. James' Park on Saturday afternoon.