Lee Ryder believes Newcastle United’s mounting injury woes could force them into the transfer market.
Despite picking up a huge three points at the weekend to help consolidate themselves a place in the top four, there was a dampened mood on Tyneside as Newcastle fans watched Bruno Guimaraes limp off at half-time.
The Brazilian midfielder went over awkwardly on his ankle in the first half but managed to carry on until the break, although was pictured in tears as he headed off the pitch and ended up leaving the ground on crutches.
That injury alone may well force Newcastle into the transfer market given how regularly Guimaraes has been in Howe’s side this season, but he’s not alone on the sidelines, with Jonjo Shelvey and Elliot Anderson also in the treatment room – which leaves Howe very short of midfield options.
Ryder now believes the injuries – not only to Guimaraes – may force PIF to be active this month, as he spoke on the Everything is Black and White podcast.
He said: “You don’t very often see players in tears on the pitch, and that was a sad moment. You really did feel for him and your heart went out to him because it was a bad moment for him.
Do Newcastle need to sign a new midfielder?
Yes!
No!
“He left the ground on crutches with his right foot in a protective boot. Usually, that’s all precautionary; we’ll have to wait and see how things unfold for him in the next few days, but Eddie Howe pretty much admitting it was too early to say.
“This is a personal opinion, this could change Newcastle’s mindset in the remaining two weeks of the window. You’ve now got Bruno, Jonjo Shelvey and Elliot Anderson in the treatment room, so they’re obviously short on midfielders and they’re going to have to do something about that.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s stance in the transfer market…
An injury to someone such as Guimaraes who’s been a revelation on Tyneside would be enough to force any team into the transfer market, but with just three central midfielders to call upon, Eddie Howe must be banging down PIF’s door for a new signing.
Prior to Guimaraes’ injury, it was being heavily reported that Newcastle were keen on landing a new number six this month to allow the Brazilian to venture further forward and that need will have only increased.
Meanwhile, it had previously been said that Newcastle weren’t keen on spending big this month and instead wanted to focus on signing younger players, but the recent injury worries may well force PIF into a U-turn this transfer window and instead sign a ready-made Premier League midfielder.