How Newcastle United could line up with best XI after January transfers

Eddie Howe will be pleased with Newcastle United's January transfer business after sealing five signings.

The Magpies completed deals for Dan Burn and Matt Targett on deadline day, having previously confirmed the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.

Prospective moves for Hugo Ekitike and Jesse Lingard broke down in the final hours of Monday, but the five recruits present a number of new lineups and formations for the head coach now to consider.

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Howe has opted for a 4-3-3 system on most occasions so far, and it was a system which proved successful in the Magpies' last outing against Leeds United.

Newcastle remain a point adrift of safety having played more matches than relegation rivals Burnley, Norwich City and Watford.

Howe will need to find results in the remaining 17 fixtures, but will now feel he has options within the squad to adapt his side for each opponent.

The most pressing matter for the Magpies boss is who to leave out of his 25-man Premier League squad for the remainder of the season, but here is a look at the formations he could consider going forward.

It is the formation which Howe has used most often so far, and one that has brought out the best of Joelinton in a box-to-box role.

Starting at the back, the deadline-day signings of Burn and Targett coupled with Trippier's earlier arrival mean there is almost certainly just one slot available to the original defenders.

Paul Dummett, captain Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar will likely battle among themselves for the right to partner Burn at the heart of defence.

Guimaraes is a defensive midfielder on paper, but his stats with Lyon prove he is capable of delivering at both ends of