Whether Newcastle will have any new signings in their squad for Sunderland FA Cup game

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Newcastle United are desperate to get a win against Sunderland this weekend after a terrible run of form domestically and in Europe.

Newcastle are in need of reinforcements this month with some huge games coming up, but it looks like any business they do will more than likely come at the end of the window.

A new report from the i suggests that there will be no new players featuring in the Newcastle squad to face Sunderland in the FA Cup third round on Saturday afternoon.

Newcastle will have the same squad to battle Sunderland

The Magpies are absolutely desperate to get one over their biggest rivals for more than one reason. For starters it is the first derby in almost eight years, it is the only trophy they realistically have left to fight for and a win would put an end to a terrible run of games.

Eddie Howe is also under a lot of pressure after last night’s defeat to Liverpool which made it seven in the last eight games, a record that is not likely to get much better against Manchester City and Aston Villa.

It looks like the players that were available to Howe last night will have to go again on Saturday as Callum Wilson has been ruled out and Kieran Trippier now also a doubt.

The positive is that the team will have more rest days than they have typically had in the last few months, but there is still a lack of energy and confidence from the team’s most recent performances.

January is absolutely huge for Newcastle

The rest of Newcastle’s season could depend on how well their January window goes and if they are able to address at least some of the glaring issues in the squad.

In the last few games it has been very clear that Newcastle are struggling on the defensive side of things without a midfielder who can sit in front of the defence which Sunderland cold exploit. Kalvin Phillips has been rumoured to solve this problem, but the move is still up in the air.

The fitness of Wilson and Alexander Isak has also been a major issue, so a third choice striker will also be on the agenda for Howe.

A new goalkeeper has been identified as a possible move, though Martin Dubravka’s heroics last night may have bought him a bit of extra time to prove his worth.