Newcastle have leeway to make signings in January, due to selling Alexander Isak for a British transfer record fee during the summer. One area that could be addressed is midfield, where Eddie Howe’s depth options are not quite as good as elsewhere in his squad.

Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have become a settled trio for Howe, but despite having the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock, there is a feeling that another midfielder is needed at St James’ Park.

Newcastle interested in Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney

Hayden Hackney in action for Mddlesbrough. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

As per Football Insider, Mick Brown has revealed that Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has emerged as a target for Newcastle, as Howe seeks to up the quality of his depth options in midfield.

“Hackney is a top player and he’s somebody I rate very highly. It’s no surprise there is interest in him, I’m told a lot of clubs have been keeping tabs on him, and it seems Newcastle are now one of those clubs.

“If Hackney was at Newcastle tomorrow, I don’t think he’d get into their midfield, because the options they’ve got in there at the moment are pretty much fixed. But he...