Sky Sports North-East reporter Keith Downie has claimed that the Newcastle United squad is 'top-heavy'.

The Lowdown: Summer of change

The St James' Park club saw plenty of change to their squad in the summer, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Nick Pope being recruited, while Matt Targett also signed from Aston Villa on a permanent deal.

In terms of outgoings, Federico Fernandez and Dwight Gayle have left permanently, while the likes of Martin Dubravka have gone out on loan.

The Latest: Top-heavy squad?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Downie has claimed that it is 'strange' that Newcastle have both Botman and January recruit Dan Burn fighting for the same position at left centre-back, but are lacking depth in the wide attacking positions, adding that the squad is too 'top-heavy'.

He said: “I think it’s a bit strange that they’ve got two really solid players in that position fighting for the one position and then you look further forward in the wide areas, you’re missing Saint-Maximin, someone playing on the right, and it feels like the team is a little bit sort of top-heavy.

“They’ve got too many good players in one position and not enough in others.”

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The Verdict: January fix important

It is important that the Tynesiders fix their 'top-heavy' squad by getting their recruitment right in the January transfer window.

In terms of wingers, they have been recently linked with winter moves for Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson and Leeds United's Jack Harrison, who could both become viable options for the right price.

Otherwise, the centre of the defence is now a position where they have four quality options in Botman, Burn, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, so Eddie Howe could look to rotate in that area of the pitch in order to keep his Magpies squad fresh during the new year.