Eddie Howe could allow these SIX players to leave Newcastle United in January - Report

The Chronicle are reporting that Dwight Gayle, Jeff Hendrick, Ciaran Clark and Sean Longstaff are among the players who could be moved on by the club in January.

The report also claims that there could be a couple of loan exits, with Freddie Woodman and Elliot Anderson identified as two players in need of game time.

Eddie Howe needs to free up space in his 25-man squad for potential new arrivals, meaning a few outgoings could be on the cards next month.

Apart from Clark - who hasn't featured since that costly red card in the 1-1 draw with Norwich - the likes of Hendrick, Gayle and Sean Longstaff have all struggled for game time this season, with the latter also entering the final six months of his contract at the club.

Howe may give Longstaff a chance to prove himself over the festive period, but many of these could be deemed surplus to requirements - especially when January signings would only push them further down the pecking order.

The likes of Gayle, Clark and Hendrick are Championship players and no longer good enough to be competing in the top flight, while Anderson and Woodman could benefit from spells in the second tier.

Gayle and Clark did a good job for NUFC - five years ago - but their time has passed and need to be replaced if we want to stay in the Premier League.

Players will have to be shipped out to keep the squad happy come February 1 and, if these are the ones to leave, I don’t think many Toon fans would argue otherwise.