Graeme Souness intends to sign four players of "the highest standard" to increase the depth of his Newcastle squad.
The former Blackburn boss has been unable to make any signings since arriving at St James' Park last month, but he could pounce in the January
transfer window to stamp his own mark on the Magpies squad.
Souness is sceptical of his chances of luring Damien Duff away from Chelsea, particularly as the Republic of Ireland international is now seeing
regular first-team football.
But he intends to ask Freddie Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, to free up funds for top quality new signings.