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Newcastle United are understood to be focusing on signing forward players in the January transfer window.

It is believed that Steve McClaren and the club’s football board are looking at bringing in a winger and a striker when the window re-opens for business.

The Magpies have already dismissed talk that they are keen on Schalke 04 defender Joel Matip, while reports linking United with Sassuolo and Croatia international right-back Sime Vrsaljko proved to be unfounded.

Newcastle are confident that they have enough cover at the back going into the second half of the season and feel they can focus on other areas.

Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba remain the first-choice pairing for United with the soon to be fit again Steven Taylor and Jamaal Lascelles regarded as a strong back-up duo.

Paul Dummett and Jamie Sterry also offer further cover while Kevin Mbabu’s versatility across the back four has also left the Magpies’ backroom team in agreement that new faces are needed elsewhere on the pitch.

As reported here on Wednesday, Newcastle won’t stand in the way of Mike Williamson if he wants to leave to join Sky Bet Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers in the window.

Newcastle are thought to have been offered the chance to sign out of favour Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend while Queens Park Rangers star Charlie Austin continues to be linked.