Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning, taking questions from the north east press pack ahead of our trip to Birmingham City in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie.

It’s been a busy week, featuring the final day of the ‘January’ transfer window, more talk of potential overseas exits and a magical night at St James’ Park as Newcastle United booked their spot in Wembley by beating Arsenal 2-0.

Howe discussed the future of two players and touched on our transfer strategy under Paul Mitchell, offering some insight into how we’re operating after recruiting a couple of young talents over the past month.

Trippier’s future and Krafth talks

Reports continue to link Kieran Trippier to Galatasaray, with the Turkish transfer window open until 11th February, but Howe insists there is “no part” of him that wants to lose the 34-year-old.

The boss is ‘hopeful’ he’ll stay and have a “big impact’ over the second half of the season and has also revealed that “talks are ongoing” to hand a new deal to Emil Krafth.

Krafth is out of contract this summer, as things stand, while Trippier has entered the final 18 months of his current deal.

Asked for an update on Trippier’s future, Howe said: “No part of us wants to lose Kieran. He’s had a difficult season, and not not so much on the pitch, but a couple of fitness issues that just halted his progress.

“Then he came back into the team and had a really good couple of performances around Christmas time, and he showed his qualities again and his ability to come in. Having not played a lot of football, to then play and perform in high level games is a real skill.

“It’s not easy to do, and he’s been able to do that consistently for us. And then, of course, against Arsenal I thought he was magnificent. Tino Livramento has had a really good season as well, and we obviously Emil Krafth who can play right back as well. So there’s real competition for places in that position, and we love the players we have.

“But Kieran unique. There’s no one that can do what he can do, set play, delivery, passing ability and his overall leadership is unique as well. So he’s someone that we definitely see, hopefully staying and having a big impact in the second half of the season.”

On Krafth, Howe confirmed that talks are underway to extend Krafth’s time on Tyneside: “I believe talks are ongoing. He’s someone we want to keep.”

Howe discusses transfer strategy

No first-team signings arrived in January, but the club did bring in Irish winger Kyle Fitzgerald and Turkish teenager Baran Yildiz, who is expected to cost a reported £2.5m from Gençlerbirligi.

During today’s press conference, Howe was asked about our approach to transfers following two more moves for young talents, insisting this is a big “part of the plan” since new owners arrived.

However, while recruiting future stars can make a “massive difference” in the world of PSR, Howe insists there is still “room for signing established players”, feeling the club plan to recruit a “mixture of both.”

Howe said: “I think the club have had a vision of doing that (recruiting top young talent) ever since I arrived. I know there was a big push to sign some really talented younger players that the academy and the guys in the other building can really help develop and flourish…help flourish and then nurture into the first team, that’s always been part of the plan.

“I think, with PSR now that that is probably more weighted to that direction as well, because if you can bring one or two gems through it can have a massive difference and help to everything that we’re trying to achieve here, but I still think there’s there’s room for signing established players I think there has to be for where we are and the size of club that we are. So a mixture of both, really.