Paul Mitchell’s first January move just became obvious after Newcastle United development

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Newcastle United are in fine form heading into the January transfer window.

The Magpies have won five in a row and suddenly look unstoppable, as Eddie Howe’s side finally find their groove.

Newcastle beat Manchester United with ease on Monday night, as talk over the need for reinforcements dies down.

Jacob Murphy is suddenly thriving on the right of attack, while the Newcastle backline is the most settled it has been all season.

As we enter a month in which Newcastle need to sell to buy, it suddenly feels as if there is less pressure on Paul Mitchell to strengthen Eddie Howe’s first-team squad in January.

However, there was one negative to come from the comfortable win at Old Trafford.

Newcastle United lose Fabian Schar to suspension

It was almost a perfect night in the North West…almost.

The only negative was a yellow card for Fabian Schar. It was his fifth of the season, and means he will be suspended for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Schar will now miss Newcastle’s next two games, as he is also set to serve a suspension in the Carabao Cup.

That is a major issue, as Eddie Howe does not have a direct replacement for the 33-year-old. The most likely candidate to come into the side is Lloyd Kelly, which would mean playing with two left-footed centre-backs.

Even the return of Sven Botman will not save Newcastle, as he is also left-footed.

The next two games will come too soon for Emil Krafth, further highlighting Newcastle’s need to be active in January.

Newcastle United need to sign Abdukodir Khusanov

Schar’s suspension sums up exactly why Newcastle United need to sign a centre-back during the January transfer window. In fact, it sums up exactly why Paul Mitchell must bring Abdukodir Khusanov to St James’ Park.

The Magpies are interested in the 20-year-old, while Khusanov is keen to join Newcastle.

A deal worth £20million has been rumoured, with the i Paper reporting that a deal for Newcastle to sign Khusanov could be advanced.

That is very exciting, as Khusanov is exactly the type of player that Newcastle need to sign.

He is cheaper than other targets like Marc Guehi, while he is also much younger. Khusanov has a lot of potential, and could go on to be Sven Botman’s long-term partner at centre-back. That will be the goal if Newcastle are able to sign him from Lens.

Even if Khusanov arrived on January 1st, it would be too soon for him to feature in Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Tottenham on January 4th. It always takes new signings time to settle in, while Howe rarely thrusts new additions straight into the starting lineup.

But Schar’s suspension highlights exactly why Newcastle need to sign a right-sided centre-back, and the centre-back that Mitchell needs to sign is Khusanov.