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Steve McClaren admits that he expects Newcastle United to kick off the new season with the squad they’ve got.

United have spent big to sign three players so far and there’s another month until the transfer deadline – but their Premier League campaign kicks off in seven days.

McClaren, who is understood to want QPR striker Charlie Austin, has been keeping his cards close to his chest this week but said the club are working hard behind-the-scenes.

The United head coach said that, along with the fact he still wants more signings, means he can’t be 100% sure that no new arrivals will be in place before the opening Premier League clash of the season with Southampton.

But, speaking after the 1-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach, he said: “Are we looking at more? There is a lot of speculation out there. Nothing is happening at the present moment, believe you and me.

“There is a lot of work behind the scenes. It’s taken us quite a while to get the ones we’ve got. We are pleased with them - very pleased - because of their quality.

“Will there be any more? I don’t know, I always want more but are they available and can we get them? We don’t know.”

McClaren handed home debuts to Chancel Mbemba, Gini Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic against the Bundesliga outfit at St James’ Park.

He has also retained the services of star men Moussa Sissoko, Tim Krul and Daryl Janmaat going in a new campaign.

McClaren said: “I am delighted with what I have got to work with now until the start of the season. It’s a big eight days for us.”

McClaren also feels he will start the season with the current crop of players and re-iterated: “Yeah I would expect what we’ve got to start.”

Meanwhile, McClaren said Newcastle were still undecided on whether to sign Ivan Toney from Northampton Town.

The teenager watched on from the stands during the 1-0 loss on Saturday and McClaren said that the winger was only training with the club.

He said: “Northampton have allowed him to train for a couple of days. He’s done that (and) we will assess that.

“He has trained with Peter Beardsley in the Under-21s, now we just have to sit down him and assess what we are going to do.”