Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder will sit down with chairman Freddy Shepherd hours before the Carling Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea to finalise the signings he has pinpointed in next month's transfer window.
The 51-year-old will send his resurgent side out against the Barclays Premiership champions at St James' Park on Wednesday night looking to book a place in the last four by extending the Blues' run of one draw and two defeats in their last three visits to Tyneside.
However, he will do so having already thrashed out just where the chairman's money will be invested during the transfer window as he looks to strengthen his squad. Roeder said: "We have a list of players that we have spent the last three months putting together.
"We have spent a fair time in Europe looking at three or four targets in those areas of the team I feel need strengthening. "We have very little strength in depth in defence and with Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi having long-term injuries, we do not really have strength in depth in striking roles.
"It would be quite easy to work out the areas we are attacking."
Shepherd was down at the club's annual general meeting in London today, However, he remains focused on Roeder's rebuilding plan, "Glenn and myself have already had preliminary discussions, but we will probably decide tomorrow just who we can or cannot bring to St James' Park in the January transfer window.
"Whatever people may or may not say about Newcastle United, we have always done our best for our manager, and we will do what we can for Glenn Roeder."
"Jose Mourinho has always treated this cup with respect, which other managers have not done in the past by putting out weakened teams.
"We are expecting to play a very strong and motivated Chelsea team tomorrow night."
