Newcastle United are heading toward the January transfer window with a clear sense of caution, but also with growing awareness that their defensive depth may need attention. Recent weeks have tested the squad heavily, especially at the back, where injuries have left Eddie Howe working with very limited options.
At one stage, only Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar and Lewis Hall were available as senior defenders, forcing the manager to improvise and rely on players out of position just to get through matches.
That situation, however, is starting to improve. Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at St James’ Park, Howe delivered some encouraging news that will lift both the dressing room and the supporters. Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento, two players Newcastle have badly missed, are now close to making their returns after completing strong recovery periods.
Sven Botman is also edging nearer to involvement after spending time back in group training, which marks a significant step forward following his injury setback.
Howe made it clear that the club has been stretched thin defensively, and that reality has shaped both team selection and short-term planning. Lewis Miley, still only a teenager and naturally a midfielder, has been asked to fill in at right-back during this difficult period.
Rather than struggling, Miley has impressed many with his calmness, work rate and intelligence. Howe has repeatedly praised his performances, highlighting how well he has adapted to an unfamiliar role and how important he has been during a tough run of games.
Even so, the manager is eager to welcome his natural full-backs back, not only to restore balance but also to increase numbers and reduce the physical strain on the squad.
There is also positive news further up the pitch. Anthony Elanga, Newcastle’s £55 million summer signing, is closing in on a return after missing a couple of games with an unspecified issue.
While he has not yet fully rejoined training, Howe confirmed that Elanga is very close, which raises hopes he could soon add pace and energy back into the attack. Botman’s situation is even more advanced, with the defender already training with the group and expected to be in contention sooner rather than later.
Despite this improving injury picture, Newcastle’s recent problems have underlined a bigger issue that goes beyond the next match or two. Several key defenders are approaching the final months of their contracts.
Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are all set to be out of contract in June, creating uncertainty about the future shape of the back line. On top of that, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are now 33 and 34 years old respectively, which naturally raises questions about long-term planning and the need to refresh the defence with younger options.
Newcastle are not known for being particularly active in the January window. The club tends to prefer long-term planning rather than rushed mid-season deals, and their last winter signing came back in 2023 when they brought in Anthony Gordon from Everton.
Even so, the club hierarchy have shown that they will move if the right opportunity presents itself, especially when squad depth is under real pressure.
That context explains why Newcastle are now considering an approach for Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie. The 19-year-old has caught the club’s attention with his performances in Ligue 1, where he has featured regularly this season.
Comfortable at both left-back and centre-back, Methalie fits the type of versatile, young defender Newcastle are keen to add as they look to build for the future while managing the present. He has already represented France at under-21 level, which underlines how highly he is rated back home.
Methalie recently underwent surgery on a minor knee issue, but reports from France suggest it is not serious and that he is expected to return later this month.
That timeline keeps the door open for Newcastle to make an approach, even if any potential move would need careful consideration given his recovery and the club’s usual January stance.
Eddie Howe has been open about how injuries will dictate Newcastle’s transfer thinking. He has explained that if everyone is fit and available, the squad already feels well balanced, and making improvements in January would be difficult.
However, he has also acknowledged that the situation changes quickly when players are unavailable, particularly in defence, and especially with the heavy run of fixtures that January brings.
For now, Newcastle are watching closely, weighing up their options and waiting to see how quickly injured players return to full fitness.
The agreement around Methalie shows that groundwork is being done behind the scenes, even if no immediate move is guaranteed. As the transfer window approaches, Newcastle’s focus remains on stability, smart planning and protecting the long-term health of the squad, rather than making rushed decisions driven by short-term panic.
