OPINION
Newcastle United are in need of reinforcements this month with Rafa Benitez currently struggling to get the most out of a squad lacking in numbers and quality.
One area which desperately needs attention is at full-back, where DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett both walk into the starting team with no competition.
Benitez has been targeting a new full-back for a long time now, with Newcastle since paying the price for failing to sign anyone in that position in the summer.
The club simply cannot afford to go into February without a new face at full-back, with that most certainly a priority for Benitez in the coming weeks.
Newcastle also need reinforcements in attack however, with the Magpies struggling to create much behind striker Salomon Rondon, who has been in great form recently.
What if Newcastle were able to kill two birds with one stone and sign a player who can offer both?
That is exactly what they can do if they were to enter the hunt for West Bromwich Albion star Matt Phillips, who is being hunted by Cardiff City and Burnley [The Sun].
Phillips has been in red-hot form for the Baggies in the Championship this season, scoring five goals and laying on six assists for Darren Moore’s side so far.
The 27-year-old Scotland international is a natural winger, but has been deployed at right wing-back on several occasions to great effect.
This newfound versatility means that he would be a brilliant option for Newcastle, with Phillips able to bolster their floundering attack while also providing cover for Yedlin on the right side of defence.
Albion will obviously be keen to keep hold of Phillips, who is one of their key players, but Newcastle must now enter the hunt to sign him this month.
He would be an ideal and (relatively) cheap addition to a squad in need of reinforcements as they look to avoid a relegation dogfight in the coming months.