Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe insists he has enough options in attack should the club fail to sign a replacement for Chris Wood. The New Zealand international is set to depart Newcastle for Nottingham Forest after only 12 months on Tyneside.
Wood's exit means the Magpies are looking short of central striking options, with Howe now keen to press on and find a replacement in the remaining 11 days of the transfer window. However, the former Bournemouth boss believes should a suitable candidates prove unattainable, he can rely on Joelinton or Allan Saint-Maximin to play backup to Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.
"We do have players in the squad that can play there," Howe told reporters on Friday. "Joelinton is one and Maxi is another. I think there are a couple of other players in the squad that could do it.
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"It's certainly not ideal to do that, I think they have their own positions and their own strengths."
Wood arrived at Newcastle 12 months as Howe sought out firepower in the club's battle against relegation. While the former Burnley striker didn't have the best time in front of goal, he has played a vital role in the club's success in recent months.
Now attention turns to who could replace him. Howe believes the answer may lie in a player that can help Newcastle over the long-term, rather just the immediate future.
"I think signing someone for the short-term doesn't make sense," Howe said. "Doesn't make financial sense or football sense. So we have to, with all our recruitment, have our eye on the here and now but also what is going to happen to the club in one or two years time.
"So we'll try and make the right signing if we're able to do it but there's no guarantee. With a short amount of time and the small pool of players available. That's the difficult situation we face."
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