Last week, we covered quotes from Eddie Howe on our much-improved PSR position heading into the summer, with the boss insisting that this transfer window is all about new signings, not losing star players.

Watching his recent press conference back, a few other snippets stood out, where Howe touched on our small squad, areas of the pitch where we’re well stocked and the importance of versatility.

Howe hails six ‘top-quality’ options

Eddie Howe has been discussing Newcastle’s squad depth, admitting we’ve done superbly this season given our “small squad”.

It’s not lost on Howe that areas of our side need beefing up as we prepare for a season back in Europe, but he’s suggested that our midfield is an area of the pitch where we are well stocked, as things stand.

With first-choice trio Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton backed up by Lewis Miley, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, Howe feels we have ‘six top-quality’ options.

An early hint that we don’t need to recruit in this department, perhaps, although that could change should Longstaff – out of contract in 12 months time – or an out of sort Willock depart this summer.

Howe said: “We’ve done really well this season to manage a small squad. Our injury record has been very good, in part because of having less games. You’re always going to get one or two.

“We’re in a position with our squad where if you get a run of injuries you can look thin very quickly, fingers crossed we can maintain our strength.

“I think we do have depth, it depends on the position, really, how much depth. If you look at our midfield, for example, when everyone’s fit, I think we’ve got six top-quality midfielders for us to pick from – that’s an area of real strength for us.”

Versatility wanted?

Over the years, Newcastle and Howe have benefited from signing players capable of filling a number of roles.

Anthony Gordon can operate down both flanks or as a No 9, Tino Livramento has proven to be equally capable at right or left-back, both Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have played in No 6 and No 8 roles and Dan Burn has played at left-back and centre-back since signing from Brighton.

Discussing our squad depth, Howe talked up the value of signing ‘adaptable players’ who can play in various positions:

“Maybe in other positions we don’t necessarily have that depth, and it’s that balance of the squad and also having adaptable players that can play different positions.

“They (versatile players) are so important because one player then can cover three positions, and that’s so important.

“Maybe we need to look at certain areas of the squad, of course, with the players that we’ve lost through the last few transfer windows and just try to get that balance right going into next year.”

With Bryan Mbeumo able to play as a right winger and striker and Marc Guehi comfortable playing in both centre-back roles, it’s no surprise we like both and had looked at Man Utd-bound Matheus Cunha.