Even the most optimistic of Newcastle fans could not have forecasted their side’s stunning first half of the season.

This time last year, the Magpies had won just one of their opening 19 Premier League games — 12 months on, they sit third.

They also have a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Leicester to look forward to this evening, though a shock FA Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday suggested some of their fringe players may not be up to scratch.

Ahead of tonight’s contest, we consider three areas where the Tyneside outfit could strengthen their squad this month.

Striker cover

When everyone is fit and firing, Newcastle have a strong pool of centre forward options to choose from.

Callum Wilson is a proven goalscorer at Premier League level, while club-record signing Alexander Isak was one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards when arriving at St James’ Park last summer.

However, the pair have both endured their fair share of injury issues and Saturday’s defeat saw Chris Wood introduced in place of a rusty Isak at half-time.

The New Zealand international, 31, spurned a glorious chance to force a replay and his five goals in 38 appearances since joining the Magpies equate to a bitterly disappointing return.

An injury to Wilson — which never feels too far away — could be catastrophic for the Magpies’ top-four tilt and Eddie Howe may therefore be tempted to seek some short-term cover.

With the likes of Youssoufa Moukoko and Hirving Lozano supposedly high on the club’s summer wish list, a loan move for a less glamorous name seems most likely in the meantime.

Central defence

Heading into the 2022-23 campaign, Howe confirmed that Jamaal Lascelles would remain as Newcastle’s club captain but the 29-year-old has hardly featured this term.

The ex-Nottingham Forest defender did lead the side in the 2-1 defeat to the Owls but struggled badly, especially when readily outpaced by Josh Windass in the lead-up to the striker’s second goal.

Fabian Schar and Sven Botman are now firmly established as the Toon Army’s first-choice pairing and have kept a stunning nine clean sheets in the 15 league games they have started together since the latter’s arrival last July.

An injury to either of the duo, though, would likely see Lascelles come into the side — or Dan Burn revert from the left-back berth that he has occupied so impressively this term.

Either way, it is a potential problem that could be averted with a new defensive addition and Milan Skriniar is a name that keeps cropping up in conversation.

The Slovakian international, 27, looks certain to leave Inter Milan in the near future and though he would command a hefty fee, would be a huge addition to the Magpies’ improving squad.

Impactful wingers

Key to Newcastle’s outstanding run of results has been the recent red-hot form of Miguel Almiron.

The Paraguayan, 28, has netted an impressive nine Premier League goals already this term, including eight in his last 11 outings, making him the Magpies’ top scorer in all competitions.

Add in the imminent return from injury of the enigmatic Allan Saint-Maximin and the versatile Joelinton and things look rosy in wide areas — but beyond that, there are significant question marks.

Matt Ritchie has been a great servant for the club but he has become a peripheral figure in recent months, while Jacob Murphy has appeared in all 18 league fixtures this term but managed just two direct goal involvements.

Therefore, speeding up their pursuit of Moussa Diaby — who has a stunning 43 combined goals and assists for Bayer Leverkusen since the start of last season — would make sense.

The 23-year-old is likely to command a huge fee but could quite feasibly prove to be the difference-maker in securing Champions League football next season.