Miles Starforth's verdict on Newcastle United's transfer window business

That’s the question after the first of two transfer deadlines passed yesterday without an additional senior signing.

Fans had wanted a couple more players to go into the first-team squad, notably a striker and a defender, following the earlier acquisitions of Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick, Jamal Lewis and Mark Gillespie.

Steve Bruce is short of numbers at the back because of injuries to Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett, though that situation should improve by the time the club takes on Manchester United at St James’s Park on October 17 after the international break.

The other concern is up front, where Newcastle are short of cover for Wilson due to the injury suffered by Dwight Gayle in the summer which is set to keep him out until late this year.

Supporters are asking who would fill Wilson’s boots should he be out for any length of time.

It’s a calculated gamble from Bruce following a positive start to the season in terms of points gained. The club sits ninth in the table with seven points.

Bruce bided his time last season – the club didn’t make a permanent signing in January – and that decision, unpopular at the time, paid off in the summer.

The next window opens on January 4, so Bruce – who said he was “relaxed” about situation after Saturday night’s 3-1 win over Burnley – can revisit the situation just under three months.

That’s a shorter-than-normal gap between the summer and winter windows, but it’s still a very long time in football.

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