LEE CHARNLEY has stressed that Newcastle United will not be desperate to bolster Steve Bruce’s squad when the January sales open.

Bruce has known since the summer there is money available for player recruitment when the window opens and he has admitted previously that a new midfielder is high in his sights. Arsenal’s Xhaka has interested the Magpies boss, for one.

But the emergence of Matty Longstaff to compete with brother Sean, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey in that area has bought Newcastle more time to consider targets.

Newcastle are likely to make a move for individuals next month but they are not in a position where they are desperate to add like they have been before, which has seen prices hiked up.

And Charnley, the club’s managing director, has described the reasons why Newcastle will be more than happy to wait for the good deals rather than rush into overinflated ones.

“Steve’s been on the record saying he’s happy with his group of players, and when we approached the window in the summer we did so on the basis that we do the vast majority of our business in that window,” said Charnley.

“I think what’s been pleasing to see in recent games is players that, let’s say, were out of the squad in the early part coming in and making a significant contribution.

“In January, we’ve got, hopefully, Matty Ritchie to come back, who we’ve not really seen this season. Jamaal Lascelles hopefully should be back.

“Obviously, we’ve got Florian Lejeune, who the manager’s not seen. So, at the minute, we’ve got good strength in depth in most positions on the field. What I don’t want to do is over-promise and under-deliver.

“But, is that to say, if the right opportunity came up that we wouldn’t look at it? Then, clearly, if there’s an opportunity there that makes sense for us, that may well be something that we would look at.”

After signing Miguel Almiron for £21m last January, Newcastle then invested heavily in the likes of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximim in the summer.

The pair were a combined £57m and there was also the added bonus of signing Jetro Willems and Emil Krafth to boost options out wide. Newcastle’s outlay was helped by the £30m sale of Ayoze perez to Leicester - so there is some money still available for recruitment.

Bruce is happy with how Newcastle have recovered from a difficult start to climb up to 11th in the Premier League and they are only two points shy of Manchester United in fifth spot.

They head to Burnley on Saturday knowing the Clarets have dropped below them after a poor run and there will be desire to maintain the good run – albeit in the likely absence of Saint-Maximim.

The Frenchman hobbled off with a hamstring problem towards the end of the victory over Southampton on Saturday and now Bruce is having to consider his options to play on the left.

Christian Atsu is the favourite having been forced to wait for a chance to shine, although asking Joelinton to play there and start with Andy Carroll through the middle is an alternative. Carroll has been excellent in his last two appearances.

One young player Newcastle – who remain keen on Arsenal’s Swiss international Xhaka - are interested in is Queen’s Park teenager Reagan Thomson.

Sources close to the Scottish League Two club have claimed Newcastle have made an offer along with Rangers in the region of £350,000 and those have been rejected.

The 16-year-old is being watched by numerous clubs but Newcastle have been the favourites to secure his signature for some time, but Rangers are stepping up efforts with the New Year approaching.