NEWCASTLE have drawn up a four-man shortlist as they prepare to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, according to reports.
Eddie Howe's men have been savaged by injuries in recent weeks – with 13 Toon players sidelined as of mid-November.
And those absentees proved costly before the international break as they were outplayed in a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Now Newcastle are looking at a quartet of players in the mid-season window.
According to The Times, the man at the top of their list is Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The England star, 27, is seeking game time ahead of the Euros having started just one match for the champions so far this season.
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And while Juventus have shown interest in the ex-Leeds star, Newcastle are keen to agree a loan deal until the end of the season.
Another man the North East outfit are eyeing up is Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman, 21, who has scored four goals in 33 games for the Ligue 1 side, was linked with a move to Newcastle in the summer of 2022.
And he has been outcast by the French champions in recent months.
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Another loan deal could be on the cards for Howe's men as, much like Phillips, Ekitike seeks minutes on the pitch.
According to a report from TeamTalk, another player on Newcastle's shortlist is Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy, 27.
After scoring 14 goals in his opening season with the German club, he has netted a remarkable 16 in 10 matches at the beginning of this campaign.
Newcastle are understood to have spoken to Stuttgart and Guirassy's agent about the structure of a deal.
They have also stated they are willing to pay the Guinea international's £15million release clause – although he has also attracted admirers from West Ham, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Brentford.
And the final forward Newcastle are looking at is Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It is being reported they are monitoring his situation as he enters the final 18 months of his contract.
However, Calvert-Lewin is thought to be keen on helping Everton avoid relegation following their 10-point deduction.
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