Eddie Howe's late Newcastle United transfer push…

Eddie Howe's late Newcastle United transfer push justified as Magpies hit with double blow

Eddie Howe admitted he was happy with Newcastle United's summer transfer window when quizzed on the never-ending summer market earlier this month. Little did he know that less than 30 days later he would be missing a plethora of key stars through sheer rotten luck.

Callum Wilson is close to a return but Allan Saint-Maximin's injury setback makes him a doubt for the Premier League return on October 1. Elliot Anderson's absence on Saturday made the Magpies' bench look woefully short in attacking options - and now Alexander Isak has withdrawn from the Sweden squad with a problem.

Bruno Guimaraes also looks set for a small period on the sidelines, just days after returning from an injury of his own, after picking up a thigh problem with Brazil. Jonjo Shelvey continues to recovery in midfield too.

Howe was right, Newcastle had a great window. But the lack of depth in attacking areas has already been exposed this early in the campaign. It is little wonder the St James' Park boss admitted the club were searching for one or two late additions on deadline day.

“We were trying right up until the end of the window but sometimes things look like they’re going to get done and for whatever reason, they don’t happen,” Howe said earlier this month.

“There’s no blame attached to that, that’s the window, you’re dealing with other clubs, agents, players. We were actively trying to do one or two things that would have made a difference for us but as I said, it didn’t happen.”

Chris Wood and Jacob Murphy - two players desperately in need of a shot of confidence - were the only attacking options on the bench at St James' Park for the Bournemouth draw. Howe's side missed that killer instinct against the Cherries and against Crystal Palace earlier in the month.

Deadline day targets were mainly at the top end of the pitch, with the exception of West Ham right-back Harrison Ashby. Christian Pulisic was thoroughly pursued, along with Conor Gallagher and Joao Pedro. How they could do with an attacker of that ilk at their disposal at this stage.

You could even argue Guimaraes' recent issues and Shelvey's long-term problem could have prompted Howe and his transfer team to search for a player in a deeper position. Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock are yet to hit the heights this term, with Joelinton doing his best work a long way from goal.

Wilson's imminent return will provide a huge boost but the striker's injury record doesn't provide much confidence of a clean bill of health heading into the World Cup. Allan Saint-Maximin's recent setback and Alexander Isak's Sweden withdrawal remain huge concerns for a team that are struggling to put the ball in the back of the net.

Eddie Howe's late Newcastle United transfer push justified as Magpies hit with double blow

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