EDDIE HOWE insists Newcastle United’s lack of goals is not a major worry – but the Magpies manager also admits he is extremely keen to sign a striker before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Newcastle’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace means that while they have still not lost in the Premier League since August, they have now scored just one goal in their last four league outings.

They rarely threatened the Palace goal at Selhurst Park, with their best opportunity coming to nothing when Sven Botman failed to find the target with a second-half header, and while Howe was able to bring on Alexander Isak as a second-half substitute, the departure of Chris Wood means his attacking options are limited.

Howe accepts it is essential Newcastle replace Wood in the next week-and-a-half, with Everton duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anthony Gordon both understood to be under serious consideration as potential targets.

“As a manager, you always want more,” said Howe. “You always want more options. I’ve got no issue with the squad strength or size, but I think the point I’ve been making is that if we got injuries, we’d be very light, and we’re keen to do business.

“We’re keen to bring a player in that can help us, but, as we know in this window, and I’ve said many times, there’s no guarantee that will happen.

“We want to sign a player, for sure, but I’ve been preparing for this game, so I don’t have any fresh information to give you.”

Callum Wilson’s failure to find the target against Palace means he has now gone ten games for club and country without a goal.

He last found the net in October’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa, but despite returning from the World Cup with illness and injury issues, Howe is adamant that his number nine’s lack of goals is not too much of a concern.

“Knowing Callum, no (the lack of goals is not a worry),” said Howe. “He’s had very limited training time. He had an illness (after the World Cup).

“With Callum, he’s missed big chunks of training, and I think that always affects your sharpness as a player, regardless of position. Callum’s worked really hard for the team, and knowing him as I do, the goals are just around the corner.”