EDDIE Howe used the international break to crack on with his Newcastle United transfer plans for the summer, with the head coach revealing that he's got a good idea of the areas he wants to strengthen and the players he wants to bring in.

But Howe admits that those plans could change in the weeks ahead.

Howe is aware of the transfer speculation that is ramping up as the summer window nears and the head coach has been closely monitoring players who he wants to bring to Tyneside.

Howe and club bosses haven't yet sat down to discuss the summer window at length, but targets have been identified.

"When you have a period without a game naturally you look a bit longer term and things that are on the horizon and recruitment becomes important," said Howe.

"I've started that work myself. I haven't necessarily had conversations with anyone at the club regarding the summer, but I've started the process of watching players."

Howe knows the areas he wants to strengthen in the summer and has lined up possible targets for each department, but several factors will influence Newcastle's business. Newcastle's finishing position in the league will have an impact on the calibre of player they can bring in, the Magpies will stand their ground in negotiations and won't be held to ransom - and players currently at Newcastle could still change the manager's mind.

He said: "I think I would have an idea (of what he wants in the summer) but it's changeable.

"I know there'll be a lot of rumours about this position and that position. I'm manager and it's not as clear cut as that because you have players who can change your mind, targets who you're looking at so you need to identify the right players to come in and fill those positions, so it's never as easy as that."