Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines for Wednesday, December 2.
How the Brexit rules impact Newcastle
On Tuesday, the FA, Premier League and EFL, in agreement with the Home Office, unveiled the new rules for signing players from EU countries as a result of Brexit, which is set to take effect in the new year.
The agreement is a points-based system that will come into effect in January, before being reviewed again before the summer transfer window.
Most pertinently, the new system will prohibit Newcastle from signing foreign under-18 players.
In general, signings must achieve 15 points, which are calculated based on a variety of factors, including international appearances, domestic appearances, league position, continental progression, and other performance-related clauses.
You can read full analysis of how Brexit will impact Newcastle and the Premier League here.
Newcastle monitoring Manchester United star
Newcastle are monitoring the progress of Manchester United star, Brandon Williams, who could be available on loan in January.
Chronicle Live understands the club is considering a move for the versatile defender, who can play in either full-back position. Such positional flexibility would be invaluable with Paul Dummett yet to feature this season.
Steve Bruce has an excellent relationship with Mike Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Any offer from him and Newcastle would be taken seriously, with Manchester United keen to ensure that Williams lands with a team where his development is best-continued.
Williams is only available on loan, with United tying him down to a contract that expires in 2024. Newcastle could face competition from Southampton, who made a bid to sign him on loan in the summer.
Three-point forfeit will be avoided
Newcastle’s match against Aston Villa on Friday night was postponed after the club approached the Premier League amid their Covid-19 outbreak.
Suggestions that Villa should be awarded the three points as Newcastle forfeited the game were rife on social media. However, it has now been confirmed that Newcastle will not have to forfeit the match. Instead, it will be rescheduled and played at a later date.
In a statement, the Premier League said: “The Premier League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture against Aston Villa in due course.”
The league added: “The decision has been taken in consultation with Newcastle United and Aston Villa, and following extensive consultation with PHE and Premier League medical advisors, with the health of players and staff the priority.
“Newcastle correctly notified PHE regarding a number of positive COVID-19 test results, which is standard practice under Government and Premier League guidelines.”
