Transfer SOS

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says that his £200m spending spree in the summer is not holding him back from signing players in the January window.

But he says Newcastle don’t want to be pushed into signing the “wrong player” in the winter trading period.

Has the James Trafford ship sailed?

“I think he’s a very good goalkeeper. I’m a big fan of his and I think Manchester City are in a great position with the two goalkeepers they have. They have probably got more than that, but the two who have been involved this season have been fantastic goalkeepers.

“I don’t look at it that way. I wish him all the best in his career and, if he plays tomorrow, we will look forward to playing against him.”

Howe on Newcastle’s transfer stance

“Regarding transfers, everybody is really supportive.

“I think the problem for us is PSR. I don’t think there is any issue with anyone saying we can’t do this and we can’t do that.

“It’s more about what we can do, not what we can’t do. The key thing for us to consider is business now versus business in the summer.

“It’s value for money now, value for money in the summer, and signing the right player. If you sign the wrong player now you are carrying that for a three, four or five year contract.

“Are the right players available in January? There is a lot to discuss and a lot to consider for our short-term needs and long-term decisions for the football club.”

Will Aaron Ramsdale start tomorrow?

“We will see, we will make a decision on that. I am very happy with both goalkeepers. I thought it was a really nice moment for Aaron on Saturday.

“He had quite a bit to do in the game and I thought he did really well. Big penalty saves, big moment and I am sure that will endear him to everyone connected with the club.

“I think he enjoys those big battles so I was delighted for him personally and I think Nick has come back into the team and done really well.

“I think we have real strength in depth and two great professionals holding such a key position.”

Howe delivers Elanga and Murphy update

The two wingers have a possibility. Dan [Burn] will be a couple of weeks further back.

Howe delivers Emil Krafth injury update

He is trying to come back from a knee problem. He is not feeling absolutely at his best currently. We are taking it day from day and we will see him back quickly. He has always been such a reliable performer for us.

Will Livramento’s injury force Newcastle into the transfer market?

We will wait and see. We need to know the full extent of the injury and other injuries and timescales and that will impact the transfer window.

Howe on the upturn in the form of wingers

Harvey is in great form. He is red hot in front of goal. Really pleased with Anthony’s contribution, too. It was his cross for Harvey’s header and his pass for Sandro Tonali to win the penalty. With Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga close to returning we will hopefully be back at full firepower very soon.

Howe on the physical impact of Bournemouth win

I will have discussions with the medical team, the players themselves, because physical levels are going to be very important in this game. It wasn’t ideal playing 120 minutes but we wanted to win the game and whatever we needed to do to get through.

Howe on the difficulty of preparing to face Man City

They are a difficult team to prepare for because they change and tinker a lot with the tactical set up they have. Difficult team to read but we will have our plans in place and our priority is always ourselves, what we can do and how we can hurt them. It is important in the home game that we are ourselves.

Howe: Man City hardest team in the country to play over two legs

The natural preference is for the home game to be the second leg but it’s not like that this time. We need to use the home crowd to our advantage in the first game to try and impose ourselves on the tie. We really enjoyed the two-legged semi-final last year but this is going to be a totally different challenge. Man City are the hardest team in the country to play over two legs. We will have to be at our best to get through.

Howe delivers Tino Livramento update

No major update. He will be having a scan today to understand the extend of the damage on his hamstring.

Updates from 9:30am

The embargo will be lifted at 9:30 and we will deliver updates from Eddie Howe’s press conference then.

In place

In place for Eddie Howe’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Man City. Updates from 9:30am. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/QBqLwQo9wG

— Sean McCormick (@S_McCormick95) January 12, 2026

Ramsdale reaction

Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has opened up on his reaction to the decision to reinstate Nick Pope as the club’s No 1.

Ramsdale returned to the starting XI in Saturday’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Bournemouth, after the two sides played out a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup third round, and saved three penalties to help Newcastle reach round four of the competition.

He has played in every round of the Carabao Cup this season and is now hoping to retain his position as the cup keeper and get the nod to face Man City.

Jacob Murphy injury boost

Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy was preserved for the Magpies’ Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

Murphy sat out the exhausting win over Bournemouth with Eddie Howe saying: “We think he’ll be okay for Tuesday night, but I think it was the right call just to make sure there’s no damage.”

On the agenda

It won’t be just injuries on the agenda for Howe. He’ll also be asked about:

• Transfers – will NUFC move this month?
• Man City’s form after they won 10-1 at the weekend
• Woltemade and Wissa after the pair finally started together
• 180 minutes away from Wembley again
• The Academy and developing players as Adam Lawrence quit as U21 manager
• Pope or Ramsdale in goal for the semi-final
• Have we mentioned transfers? And injuries?

What would you ask Eddie Howe if you had a seat in the press conference? Leave your question in the comments

Injury updates

The main talking point, certainly early in the press conference, will be injuries and the state of the squad.

Tino Livramento limped off with a ‘devastating’ hamstring injury on Saturday to further deplete Newcastle’s defensive resources. That leaves them now with just four fit defenders – plus Lewis Miley – as problems continue to stretch the squad.

Howe will give an update on Livramento’s injury plus the fitness of Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman, who were both pressed into starting roles on Saturday in the FA Cup penalty shootout win over Bournemouth.

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to another Eddie Howe press conference. They are coming thick and fast at the minute with two games a week for Newcastle United.

Howe will be in front of the media previewing the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City, including injury and team news, plus transfer updates. Stick with us for all the latest from the Magpies manager.