Pundit Tam McManus has backed Newcastle United to potentially make two more signings in January before the transfer market shuts at the end of the month.

What's the word?

The big recent news coming out of the club is the exit of Chris Wood who has joined Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.

However, in terms of incomings, only Garang Kuol has arrived and he was instantly loaned out to Hearts anyway so won't be making any impact for the club this term.

This time last year, though, Newcastle spent big in January making five signing with the likes of Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett all arriving.

Despite the lack of activity so far, in an interview with Football Insider, McManus has claimed that he wouldn't be shocked if there was still business to be done.

Indeed, he said: “I know it has been quiet at Newcastle so far this month, it’s been quiet everywhere. But we saw this in the summer. There was nothing and then Matt Target was on his way for a medical.

“There was nothing then Nick Pope and Sven Botman arrived out of nowhere. Isak came completely out of the blue. I don’t even think Newcastle had been linked with him when the news broke that he was in the air on his way to St James’, that’s big for them,

“It would not surprise me at all if Newcastle got a couple of players over the line before the deadline. They are capable of that. A lot of clubs aren’t. There are messages to journalists and agents and then it makes its way onto social media and a deal hasn’t even been agreed."

Time to act?

Clearly, the current ownership at Newcastle has proven their willingness and ability to operate in the winter window but time is running out if the club do have any major plans.

According to The Telegraph, the Magpies could move for any one of Chelsea trio Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher or Ruben Loftus-Cheek. While a new right-back is also said to be on the agenda to provide cover for Trippier.

According to reports, Ivan Fresneda could be the defender to come in and do that role but it seems as though Arsenal currently lead that race for the Spanish youngster.

And so, as we hurtle towards the final week of the window, it feels as though something a little out of the blue may have to pop up for the Magpies if they are to land multiple new signings.