Eddie Howe has reiterated that Newcastle United are not in a position to spend freely in the transfer market this summer.

On the back of the takeover of the club by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, Howe was given licence to spend £83m during the January window, as well as secure the loan addition of Matt Targett.

Having moved the Magpies away from the relegation zone and into 11th position in the Premier League standings, more of the same was expected ahead of 2022-23.

While that has been the case to a certain extent, Newcastle have not been as active as many of their supporters may have hoped and anticipated.

The North East giants are yet to make an attack-minded addition, and Howe was quizzed on that particular area during a press conference on Friday as his side prepared to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, the Englishman said: "Hopefully you can see what I tried to tell you at the end of last season was the truth. FFP will impact us for a number of years. We're not in a position to pay wages or fees some people think. We have to be creative & smart.

"We're in a position where if any player gets injured, we'll be stretched. But in that area, yes, we do have players who can stand up in [Allan] Saint-Maximin & Joelinton."

As it stands, Callum Wilson and January arrival Chris Wood are regarded as Newcastle's two recognised options down the middle of the forward line.

Having cost £25m at the start of the year, former Burnley man Wood contributed just two goals from his 17 outings in the Premier League.

Wilson will be viewed as first choice for the meeting with Forest this weekend after impressing on his return from injury at the end of the last campaign.

Newcastle had been heavily linked with a move for Reims forward Hugo Ekitike before the Frenchman eventually signed for Paris Saint-Germain.

In terms of business this summer, Newcastle have committed to spending £60m on Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Targett, the club possessing the option to sign the Aston Villa left-back on a permanent deal after his loan stay.

Newcastle have recently been linked with a big-money bid for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison, allegedly failing with an approach in the region of £50m. body check tags ::