ALAN SMITH accepts time is running out for new signings to arrive at Newcastle United, and the rejuvenated captain feels it would be a gamble to head into the promotion runin with such a small squad.

Magpies boss Chris Hughton has been left frustrated in his pursuit of his top two targets, Matt Kilgallon and Jermaine Beckford.

Hughton held further talks with full-back Danny Simpson yesterday aimed at bringing the defender back to St James’ Park on a permanent basis after his loan spell from Manchester United expired on Monday.

The two clubs agreed a fee of £500,000 but Newcastle have been unable to meet his pay demands of around £15,000-a-week.

But Hughton is determined to make permanent additions before the transfer window closes and his skipper admits fresh players are needed to add depth to an understrength squad.

“Our squad is definitely good enough to win the Championship but if you can add quality to a squad you would always do it because you have always got to progress and you have always got to cover for injuries,” said Smith, who has seen the gap between Newcastle and third place reduced to six points in recent weeks.

“That is one area where we have been very lucky. If you could say we would not get any injuries would be brilliant, but if you get a few – say the two centre-halves go down – you need players to come in.

“Chris knows who he wants to bring in but he will want to add the quality. That is the key. He hasn’t got the players in he has targeted – yet.

“I don’t think he will panic but quality will be the operative word. He won’t bring in people just for the sake of it.

It’s as simple as that.”

There remains an interest in Marlon Harewood, but Newcastle’s unwillingness to broker a permanent arrangement following a relatively successful loan stint from Aston Villa has sparked interest from Premier League clubs in the striker.

Newcastle have also seen Zurab Khizanishvili return to Blackburn, but Smith is not expecting wonders before the end of the month.

“Time always seems to run out because teams always want to hang on to their best players for as long as possible,”

said Smith “If they are getting rid of their best players they always want to make sure they are replacing them so transfer marker activity always prolongs itself until the last minute. I am sure Chris has ideas who he wants to bring in and we will just have to wait and see.

“We have lost three who we have had on loan and it would be nice if we could get them all back but we have a good enough squad – it is just the numbers.

“If we could add to it, it would be nice because when games are coming thick and fast to freshen it up with quality is a good thing to have.

“We will welcome anyone Chris gets in with open arms and hopefully he can add quality to the squad.”

Smith, who has been absent with an eye problem, was back in the Newcastle midfield on Monday night when they came from behind twice to earn a point against the Baggies.

The second equaliser arrived from Peter Lovenkrands, who had opted to play despite mourning the death of his father, Bent, only a few days earlier in Denmark.

Smith said: “Peter is a credit to himself and all our best wishes go to him and his family.

He deserves so much credit for what he has done.

“He had no duty to come back and play but to score a goal like he did was probably a headline in the making.

“We will put an arm round him and give him all the help he needs to help him get through what is bound to be a very difficult time for him.

He has gone through a lot, and probably a lot of the time not a lot of people knew what he was going through, but we did.”

■ Newcastle have confirmed that PUMA will be their new shirt supplier for two years, starting from next season.

Barry Webber, the club’s commercial director, said: “We are very proud to have entered into a relationship with PUMA. They are an ideal partner for us with the experience and ability to deliver a top class product for the club and its supporters.”