DAN Ashworth admits Newcastle United are open to the idea of strengthening the squad this month - but only if the right opportunity presents itself.

The Magpies won't be held to ransom by selling clubs in what is a difficult window but Ashworth says it would be "remiss" of United to not attempt to bolster their squad in the January window.

Regardless of what happens this month, Newcastle's sporting director offered an exciting glimpse into the near future, saying the club are already clear on their plans for the summer window.

READ MORE: Eddie Howe sounds a warning note about Newcastle's record signing Alexander Isak

Ashworth spoke to Sky Sports ahead of Newcastle's Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester and explained the transfer strategy on Tyneside.

He said: "There are a couple of factors in there. We've got a 25-man squad now, so we'd need to trade and the second thing is, every club is bound by Financial Fair Play.

"Each financial year you have budgets which you can use so we need to make sure we're in that budget. We can't just go and spend because we fancy it. It has to be part of the plan.

"That does lead into those sort of conversations. We're in a wonderful position in the league and we want to be able to sustain that. We've got a really good squad."

Ashworth says Newcastle's progression on the pitch will help the club attract high calibre players, as will Eddie Howe, who is well aware the importance of patience when building a squad and, crucially, understands Financial Fair Play constraints.

He said: "The stadium sells itself, it's an incredible project, incredible city and football club.

"But, if you're then starting to knock on the door of major trophies and competing for European places in the Premier League, that helps you attract a top level player.

"Eddie, first and foremost, is brilliant to work with and an experienced manager who understands Financial Fair Play and how to build a squad in a sensible way. We'll try and work a couple of windows in advance.

"We know what we'd like to do in the summer of 23 for example, then if the right player and the right opportunity comes along and we can do it, then we'll look at it. But, January is always a difficult window, Eddie knows that and I know that.

"It's not always easy to be able to get the right player in a short period of time. You get two opportunities a season to change your squad, in and out, and this is one of them, even though it's a shorter one.

"It would be remiss of us not to try and look at something and do something but as I said previously, we're clear what we want to do in the summer.

"If the right player comes along and the right opportunity then of course we'd look at it."

While Newcastle will obviously look to strengthen the squad with players who are ready to come in and make an impact, a key aspect of the club's transfer strategy is signing youngsters with potential to become first team stars, Garang Kuol a prime example.

Ashworth said: "The second part of the club's strategy is looking at younger emerging players, outside the 25-man squad. Once again, if the right player comes along...we've just signed Garang Kuol for example.

"We're always looking for those sorts of players as well to add to the depth of talent we have at the club."

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Explaining how Newcastle attract those players, Ashworth said: "We have to tell them the story and the plan and the possibility of playing on this great pitch for this great football club.

"We have to put something together that's going to be attractive to the player and most of the time that's about pathways, how they can get into the first team and what we do to help them.

"Ultimately it's not sustainable for us to keep going out and buying here and now players. We have to buy some potential, we already have some in the building now."