Eddie Howe has warned that replacing Callum Wilson in the summer would cost millions.
The Newcastle boss wants Wilson around next season, which would be the final year of his contract. The 32 year old has scored ten goals this season despite missing games through injury and illness.
Wilson would potentially be an asset to sell this summer for £15-20m, with Newcastle scouting young strikers with potential as a long term replacement. But Howe says he is working with the club to find the right balance and not have to spend money on a striker which could be reinvested elsewhere.
Alexander Isak is hoping to recover from illness and be back on top form, and Callum Wilson has also been under the weather.
Howe needs his finishers available for the trip to Old Trafford and said: “All I’ll say on that, and I’ll urge the word “caution”, is that to sign strikers of the ability to score goals in the Premier League would cost you an awful lot of money.
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“I have to get the balance right between doing that and exposing ourselves in other areas, where the money might need to go.
Callum Wilson would cost a fortune to replace (Getty Images)“Of course (availability) forms part of your planning, it would be foolish for me to say otherwise. Anthony Gordon can play as a striker, but you lose him from his winger position.
“We need a squad that can deal with all types of absentees and problems, which you’re going to get during a season.
“When either one of our two strikers has been missing it has impacted us. They are two high-level players.
“You saw when they played in tandem at Burnley how good they were together, how promising that partnership could be. We just haven’t had the ability to link them together too many times.”
Eddie Howe fields questions about Newcastle's clash with Manchester United (Newcastle United via Getty Image)Howe reckons managers face “excessive” criticism - as he prepares to heap more misery on under-fire Manchester United boss Eric Ten Hag.
The Newcastle head coach is looking to take a big step towards European football and a top six finish with a win at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Newcastle haven’t done the double over Man U since the 1930s, and Howe has teed up the game as “massive” for the continued development of the Saudi Arabia funded club.
Another bad result for Ten Hag will prompt more questions about his future, and before a spring revival Howe was also facing criticism.
Asked about Ten Hag being under the cosh, Howe said: “I think when you’re in a position of manager you’re exposed to it. I’m exposed to it, everyone in the position will be criticised.
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“It goes with the job really. I think a lot of criticism for managers up and down the country is excessive. But I would because I’m sitting in this chair. It’s all part of the game.”
Asked if two years is long enough for Ten Hag to build something, Howe replied: “It depends on the club and the environment. It depends on how supportive everyone is around you, ownership etc.
“I don’t think there is a set time. For every club it is a totally unique thing. Sometimes to change any environment can take longer than you may think. I’m not speaking about Manchester United, I’m just speaking generally. There is no magic wand.”
Despite having a leaking roof and leaky defence, Howe insists Old Trafford is still an occasion.
He added: “I don’t know about an aura. I still think it is a tough place to go and play football. It’s a great place to go. We will try and look at it that way.”
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