Newcastle United were on the wrong end of a shock 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Friday night, amid several contentious refereeing decisions which left the Magpies clinging onto top spot in the Championship.

Forest defeated nine-man Newcastle after Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett both saw red in the first-half of the contest, to leave boss Rafa Benitez seething with the referee.

Having spent in the region of £50 million on players during the summer months many supporters expected the Championship to be a walk in the park, although Friday’s result offers a timely reminder of just how quickly things can change in the second tier.

Very few would back against Benitez’s men winning the league come May and with January just around the corner, the Spanish boss is probably already planning for reinforcements to come into the club, ahead of a final push towards the title.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at four strikers who could be worthwhile signings for Newcastle ahead of the transfer window.

Jordan Rhodes

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The Middlesbrough striker doesn’t look likely to stay with the Premier League outfit beyond January, with a move to one of the Championship’s big hitters seemingly on the cards.

Rhodes is a prolific scorer at Championship level and given Newcastle’s plethora of talent already in possession at the club, the striker would be just the signing to put the icing on promotion.

One stumbling block might be the fact that Middlesbrough and Newcastle remain fierce rivals and they might not want to sell to the Magpies at this stage.

Callum Wilson

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After signing several high-profile players during the summer, Newcastle could well chance their ambition once again during the forthcoming transfer window.

The Magpies secured a deal for Wilson’s team mate Matt Ritchie in the summer and they could go back with a bid for the prolific talisman during the next month or so.

Wilson netted his latest goal from the spot in Bournemouth’s 4-3 win over Liverpool at the weekend and any bid from Newcastle would need to be fairly hefty, for the Cherries to even consider doing business.

Scott Hogan

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The striker has started to show his true potential at Brentford this season leading to bigger clubs snooping around the Bees’ star man.

The 24-year-old has netted 11 goals so far this campaign and his form has seen several clubs declare their interest in signing him.

Whether Hogan would be up to the demands of the Premier League remain to be seen, but Newcastle could sign him and develop his game further, ahead of his very best years.

Saido Berahino

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The West Bromwich Albion striker has not played for the Premier League outfit since September and given the Baggies’ upturn in fortunes, he is unlikely to get any playing time soon.

A January loan move away from The Hawthorns could be or the cards and Newcastle could show some serious ambition with a bold swoop.

The 23-year-old is undoubtedly talented but has lost his way somewhat in recent terms and a move to get his career back on track is badly needed for the player.

Newcastle United fans, would you welcome any of these four strikers at the club? Who else should be on Benitez’s shopping list? Let us know in the comments below!!!