Overview
- Newcastle sit 13th yet only four points off the top five before hosting Crystal Palace at St James' Park on Sunday.
- The month features nine fixtures across competitions, including a Carabao Cup semifinal first leg against Manchester City, an FA Cup tie with Bournemouth, and Champions League games versus PSV and PSG.
- Eddie Howe has downplayed a big-money January arrival, saying PSR considerations mean any deal now would limit summer business.
- Nick Pope returned in the Burnley win, with Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman close to availability and hopes Dan Burn could follow, which Howe says would restore vital on‑field leadership.
- Howe set a de facto deadline for an upturn, highlighting a 12‑match Premier League clean‑sheet drought and warning the chance to change the season will not extend beyond January.