Newcastle United's scouting team are short on numbers, it has been revealed.
The Evening Chronicle says it is understood that a clutch of the club's recruitment team - including European scout Paul Baker - are still furloughed and could remain at home until the end of October, when the government scheme ends.
The club's action plan before the pandemic was to keep on top of young talent coming through the ranks around the Continent, but with UEFA's Under-21 European Championship qualifiers now back under way there will be fewer pairs of eyes on potential young talent.
Head of recruitment Steve Nickson is also back at work while first-team scout Mick Tait is starting to bottom out targets for the winter windows.
Manager Steve Bruce has taken up a more active role when it comes to scouting and was spotted with his back-room team at some games last season checking out possible targets.
Bruce also stated that new first team coach Steve Harper could also be deployed in certain weeks of the season to specifically check out a target.
