Steve McClaren playing a waiting game as Newcastle ramp up transfer efforts

The relegation-threatened club has signed two players – Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet – so far in this month's transfer window.

But what head coach McClaren needs above all else is a proven goalscorer.

Newcastle, beaten 2-1 by Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, are 18th in the Premier League and two points adrift of safety.

Efforts to sign West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino and Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend stalled last week.

Owner Mike Ashley is confident managing director Lee Charnley can get one or more new players through the door before the transfer deadline a week today.

Asked if the club would sign a striker to help out misfiring Aleksandar Mitrovic, McClaren said: "We’ll have to wait and see.

"There’s going to be much speculation, and again we’ll quietly go about our business.

"You’ll find out in due time if anything happens."