Newcastle United are seeking an immediate return to the Premier League and, based on the first few months of the season, they are well on course to achieve that.

The Magpies have won five games on the spin in the Sky Bet Championship to sit top of the division, three points clear of Brighton and Huddersfield Town.

They have picked up ten wins from their first 14 league games and netted a league-high 30 goals, 11 of which have come from summer signing Dwight Gayle.

Rafa Benitez’ side continued their excellent run with a 6-0 hammering of Preston in the League Cup on Tuesday night, which should stand them in good stead going into their league meeting with Simon Grayson’s side on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the Magpies are still looking to bolster their options when the transfer window reopens in January, and speculation is building about who Benitez may add to his squad in the New Year.

Here are TWO players Newcastle fans should get excited about in January…

Jozo Simunovic

A highly-rated centre-back currently on the books at Celtic, Jozo Simunovic saw a move to Italian side Torino break down in the summer.

The 22-year-old was all set to make the move to Italy before Torino tried to alter the payment structure – thus he still remains a part of Brendan Rodgers’ squad at Celtic Park.

For how much longer though remains to be seen, as Newcastle and Premier League side Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Simunovic’s progress in the Scottish Premier League.

The Croat has started the Bhoys’ last six domestic matches, in that time they have conceded just three goals, and would definitely bolster Benitez’s defensive options at St James’ Park if he can get a deal done in January.

Alan Judge

Anyone who has watched Sky Bet Championship football in the last few seasons will know what a talented player Alan Judge is.

The Brentford midfielder has been hugely influential in helping consolidate the Bees’ status in the Championship, and netted 14 times last season and laid on 11 assists to help them to a ninth-place finish.

The Republic of Ireland international saw his season cut short last time out after sustaining a double-leg fracture in April, and he has yet to feature this campaign as a result.

Nevertheless, Judge is one of the best midfielders in the Championship, and Newcastle attempted to secure a deal in the summer, but Judge’s injury put pay to that.

It’s likely however that the league leaders will go back in for the 27-year-old in January.