Eddie Howe slams controversial Newcastle United transfer 'advantage' claim after Liverpool, Man Utd & Co vote

Eddie Howe was 'very relaxed' regarding the outcome of the Premier League related-party loan vote that went in Newcastle United's favour on Tuesday.

Newcastle were one of eight clubs to vote against the ban along with Manchester City, Chelsea, Burnley, Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.

Although 12 clubs voted in favour of the ban - including the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur - it required at least 14 in order to pass.

As a result, Newcastle United have permission to do any loan deals with the four Saudi Pro League clubs who are also majority-owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund - Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.

Rather than having sanctions in place to stop them, it means Newcastle still have access to a talented pool of Saudi Pro League players that are also available to all other Premier League clubs.

But it is likely that The Magpies will stay clear of doing such deals as Howe claimed the need to recruit new players could become 'less intense' should some key players return from injury over the next month or so.

When asked if he was happy the vote went in Newcastle's favour, Howe was quick to take focus away from his club. "You say Newcastle's favour, it was a Premier League vote, we're not the only club involved in that vote," he said. "I think the majority of clubs in the Premier League own other clubs around the world, so it's not solely on us, I don't think.

"Newcastle as a club had a view. We voted our way in the way we're allowed to and the vote came out on the side that it did.

"Just from my dealings with it, we're very relaxed on it. It's not the be-all and end-all for us.

"We've got a squad we really like. If we can get players fit before January, the need to recruit will become much less intense for us."

Howe went on to insist that the result of the vote hasn't handed Newcastle any advantage heading into the January transfer window.

"I think it's the same for everybody," he added. "I understand the focus being solely on us, but it's not solely on us.

"This is a vote for all Premier League clubs. We'll be potentially allowed to recruit from a league, just like every Premier League club can as well. "There's no advantage in my eyes. We're the same as every other Premier League club." Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Howe admitted Newcastle may have to be reactive rather than proactive this time around.

"Certainly we're going to have to be reactive I think because we've got injuries in different areas of the squad, there's not necessarily one area, there's a few areas," the Newcastle head coach continued.

"I think that'll be a decision made towards the window opening, rather than now. To sort of form any plans now would be a mistake.

"Of course, we're doing the work now to prepare for that. That's why I say, a lot was given was given it was a vote just about us, but we were relaxed about the vote anyway."