Newcastle Covid cases and injuries cause Everton match postponement

Newcastle’s game at Everton on Thursday has been called off because of injuries and Covid-19 cases within the Magpies’ squad.

Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, said on Monday that the club were “dangerously close” to being unable to field a team for the fixture at Goodison Park following their 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Newcastle were able to name only eight substitutes, including two goalkeepers, and then lost Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin to injuries during the match. Furthermore, Javier Manquillo received his fifth booking of the season to earn a suspension.

In a statement on Tuesday evening the Premier League said: “Everton’s match against Newcastle at Goodison Park, due to be played on Thursday 30 December, has regrettably been postponed.

“The board accepted Newcastle’s postponement application as the club does not have the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper), due to Covid-19 cases and injuries.

“The board was able to make its decision in advance of the fixture to give clarity to the affected clubs and their fans. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to supporters’ festive plans.”

This is the latest Premier League match to be postponed this week after Arsenal v Wolves and Leeds v Aston Villa, which were due to be played on 28 December.