Dan Ashworth says Newcastle are still looking to add more quality to the squad

Add as preferred source on Google

Sporting Director Dan Ashworth has hinted that the quest for players to bring to Newcastle United is never-ending.

In his pre-match media briefing yesterday, Eddie Howe said he wants one more player in this summer but he wouldn’t be drawn on what position or even what type of player other than “a good one”.

Newcastle fans will be hoping that it’s a defender, either a right-sided centre-back or a left-back depending on which fan you ask. Which suggests that ideally, two more signings would appease the masses.

Dan Ashworth feels there’s always room for improvement at Newcastle

Speaking at a journalist round table even this week, Dan Ashworth spoke about the need for adding quality to the side in light of the extra strain the Champions League puts on the players.

“We’re all really pleased with the three we bought in,” said Ashworth (via The Chronicle). “Some really good players that really strengthen us.

“We’re acutely aware we are competing in four competitions now. And the added challenge of Europe which does test and stretch the squad a little bit more.

“It’s not just the initial games it’s travel and midweek games which means you have to freshen up at weekends and that brings a challenge on the squad.

“So it is really important that we improve and give Eddie extra competition for places. That is there for all to see.

“We are always looking to improve the club in general so our starting XI, our squad and young emerging players as well. We only get two opportunities a year to do that in two different windows.”

Eddie Howe’s answers suggest that Newcastle could be close to signing someone

The never-ending quest for improvements has been evident since the new regime took over and installed the likes of Dan Ashworth and his team to find players who will fit the Newcastle mould, whether that be first-team players or young players with bright futures.

There’s hardly a day goes by that Newcastle aren’t linked with a player in the media and that likely comes as a result of the fact that Ashworth’s squad of scouts are relentlessly scouring the globe for new talent.

Hopefully they’ve already got this “one more” already lined up. Reading between the lines, and the way Howe was talking in the media briefing suggested to me that they could well be quite far down the line in terms of the next signing. I have literally no idea who it could be and I could be well wide of the mark, but we’ll see.