Eddie Howe has dismissed that Newcastle United's backroom team would not be too disappointed if Monday's Premier League meeting ends in a circuit breaker over the festive period.
It was suggested to Howe that perhaps a batch of postponements would work in the Magpies' favour given the games would be rearranged after the new year and potentially when Newcastle have bolstered their squad.
Howe has maintained all along that he retains confidence in the bulk of his squad and that Newcastle can still get away from trouble with those already on board.
When asked if the festive period getting scrapped on the field would be an advantage, Howe: "Certainly, we won't be looking at it in that way.
"We will see what happens.
"January is there and as I have said many times before it is at the back of our focus because at the minute the games are coming so quickly.
"We now move on to a massive game."
Yet behind the scenes, Howe is facing further meetings on recruitment and with new transfer consultant Nicky Hammond on board, United don't need to be reminded that they need to move quickly on the recruitment front.
Chief scout Steve Nickson has already made his recommendations to Howe and his back-room team and it is thought that the former Blackburn talent spotter gave his verdict on the strategy Newcastle will need in early 2022 on transfers.
Under the previous regime, Nickson was essentially working as director of football in everything but title as he assigned scouts on missions in the UK and around Europe and offered up players to the former manager Steve Bruce.
Indeed, it was Nickson who led the way on Joelinton at £40million from Hoffenheim in 2019 with the deal already done before Bruce emerged on the scene.
How Nickson and Hammond dovetail in the next few weeks will be an intriguing watch for supporters with the need for new faces, particularly in the defensive area, there for all to see.
