Newcastle release official statement as COVID outbreak & injuries sees Everton game called off

Our trip to Everton on Thursday night has been called off due to a growing number of Covid cases among the Toon camp.

Several first-team players were ruled out for our clash with Man Utd and club chiefs have now confirmed that the fixture with the Toffees - who had their fixture versus Burnley called off on Boxing Day - has been postponed as 'a number of players and staff members' returned positive tests.

Injury issues are also believed to have impacted our plans, with Wilson, Saint-Maximin, Fraser, Fernandez, Lewis and Dummett all nursing problems ahead of the game.

Elsewhere, the likes of Clark, Ritchie, Darlow and Willock were absent from last night's matchday squad, however no names have been released as to who has been struck down with the virus for confidentiality reasons.

Here's the statement released on NUFC.co.uk in the last few moments:

Newcastle United's Premier League fixture at Everton on Thursday evening has been postponed following Covid-19 cases and injuries amongst the Magpies’ first team squad.

A number of players and staff members have returned positive results during routine PCR tests in recent days, while several players have suffered injuries during an extremely busy period of fixtures.

Accordingly, Newcastle United lodged a formal request with the Premier League to postpone Thursday’s fixture at Goodison Park, and that has been approved by the Premier League Board.

The match, which was scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm (GMT), will now be rescheduled and a new date and time will be confirmed in due course.

Newcastle United would like to place on record its thanks to Everton FC and the Premier League for their cooperation and understanding.

The club also wishes to offer its sincere apologies to supporters of both clubs for any inconvenience caused by these circumstances.

Newcastle United will continue to follow extensive coronavirus protocols and the club is working with Public Health England North East (PHE), local health authorities and the Premier League to minimise the risk of further transmission.

The club will not be naming individuals who have contracted Covid-19 or their vaccination status. We ask that their privacy is respected and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.

This is good and bad news, really.

It's concerning that COVID has hit the camp, but also good timing, allowing us to rest, recover, get injured players fit again and maybe even a few players signed before our next few games.

Southampton on Sunday could be the next to go...