Dan Ashworth’s impossible task as Newcastle search for a midfielder

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Dan Ashworth has been tasked with bringing a new midfielder to Newcastle United this month, following news of Jonjo Shelvey’s injury.

Having only just returned from a lengthy layoff, the 30-year-old was struck down again with injury shortly after the World Cup break.

Having featured in the cup win over Bournemouth, Shelvey was nowhere to be seen on Boxing Day. It was later confirmed that the £12million man missed the Leicester clash due to a calf problem, and could be out for two months.

That has left Eddie Howe light in terms of midfield options, and he now has even fewer players to choose from following Bruno Guimaraes’ ankle problem. Fortunately, the Brazilian is not going to be out long term.

But it has highlighted the need for Newcastle to add more depth this month, as Howe eyes players who will strengthen his team’s Champions League bid.

Not only that, but he would also prefer any new arrivals to have Premier League experience. That means they won’t need a bedding in period, like Bruno Guimaraes did this time last year.

Howe wants someone who can hit the ground running straight away, and be a difference maker in a team that is currently third in the Premier League.

When you break it down, it is no wonder that Toon Sporting Director Dan Ashworth is yet to bring anyone in.

Dan Ashworth might struggle to bring a midfielder to Newcastle

With Newcastle currently third in the Premier League, standards have been raised. Anyone who arrives will need to be ready to compete at the level the Magpies are operating at right now.

That limits the players Ashworth can target. You are either looking at players from ‘big six’ clubs that are perhaps struggling for minutes, or the star attraction at teams lower down the division.

With regards to the former, those clubs are going to be difficult to deal with. They are all competing for a place in next season’s Champions League, and now face a new threat in Newcastle. Therefore, they will likely be unwilling to help them out by sending one of their players to St James’ Park.

It has been reported that Scott McTominay is keen on a move to Tyneside, but it is hard to imagine Manchester United letting their player join a direct rival.

And when it comes to players further down the division, the price tags are going to be extremely high. Ruben Neves is reportedly a target, but the Telegraph recently claimed that he would cost far too much money, with Wolves eager to keep one of their best players.

Howe is right to want Premier League experience. That is why the likes of Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been linked. If they were to arrive, Howe would no doubt be comfortable integrating them into his side straight away.

But if we were to sign someone from a foreign league, the player might need time to adapt to life in England. And by the time they have done that, Shelvey and Bruno might be fully fit, making the new signing redundant.

Combine all of this with the difficulty of the January transfer market and Ashworth is going to find it really difficult to get the type of midfielder Howe wants.