Keith Downie has insisted live on Sky Sports that Eddie Howe has reiterated his desire to bring in more bodies this month for greater squad depth.
The Lowdown: Signings could be key
Eddie Howe had been holding his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle United's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg away to Southampton, during which he was asked about transfers.
The Newcastle boss reiterated his desire for the club to bring in recruits this month amid the departure of Chris Wood last week, which has left them worryingly short in the striker department.
The Magpies only have injury-prone Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak to play through the middle, so bringing in a new attacker will surely be a priority for Howe this month.
The Latest: Squad depth is required
After sitting in on Howe's press conference, Downie spoke live on Sky Sports on how the manager was clear about his desire to be backed this month.
He said: "Eddie Howe doesn't normally have too much to say when it comes to transfers; you can throw as many names as you want at him and it's pretty much a ‘no comment’.
"But I think what he made clear today, and he did so on Friday in the wake of Chris Wood signing for Nottingham Forest, is that Newcastle are a little bit light in terms of bodies.
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"You've probably seen the starting lineup these last few weeks - very little changes, pretty much been going with the same XI and that is because the squad is quite thin.
"So he does want to add, and I think the departure of Chris Wood last week has left him short up front."
The Verdict: Howe must be backed this month
If PIF want Howe to deliver both domestic silverware in the form of the Carabao Cup as well as a spot inside the top four, then we feel they need to thrash out at least one deal this month to give him more options.
A new signing doesn't necessarily have to be a first-team starter, which is why the links to Anthony Gordon make sense as it's unlikely he'd immediately get in the team ahead of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton or Allan Saint-Maximin, but he would provide a good option off the bench, especially given he can play out wide or through the middle.
Even before the departure of Wood, Newcastle would have likely preferred to have another body for Howe to pick in the final third, but that may well have only accelerated the thinking and scouting within St James' Park.