Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is coy over their push for Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes.

Barnes is a top target for Newcastle and he was left out of Leicester's friendly against Northampton Town yesterday.

"I can't say anything, I would never be disrespectful so no comment," said Howe.

"I think we have got good coverage in certain positions. Maybe not so much in others. I don't think it is right for me to speak about what they are out of respect for the players we currently have. Yeah I know absolutely where we need to improve.

"We might need two different XIs in the space of a week this season. We need to be able to compete at the highest level."