Here are the Newcastle United evening headlines on Monday, December 28.
Liverpool's injury boost
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is set to return to the squad for their Premier League clash with Newcastle on Wednesday evening.
Thiago has played just twice for the Reds following his switch from Bayern Munich in the summer, and has not featured for Jurgen Klopp's side since suffering a knee injury against Everton in October.
According to the Mirror, the Spanish midfielder could make the champions' squad as they travel to St. James' Park to face the Magpies midweek.
However, Klopp is still sweating over the fitness of Joel Matip, after the centre-back limped out of Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at Anfield.
Crouch defends Bruce
Peter Crouch has jumped to the support of Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, with the former England striker warning the club's supporters that the "grass isn't always greener".
Bruce has come under increasing pressure at St. James' Park in recent weeks, with his side winning just two of their last eight outings in all competitions, but Crouch has defended the manager.
"I just don’t know what more he can do," the ex-Liverpool centre-forward wrote in his Mail Online column.
"We are big fans of Steve Bruce in this column, I have to make that clear. I know there will be objections to that in Newcastle, but I only speak as I find. I respect what Steve has done throughout his career and he is a top man.
"I understand that many fans want change but I would warn that the grass isn’t always greener. Someone could come in and talk about playing with a philosophy, an expansive style, but what happens if that leads Newcastle to the Championship?"
Read more from Crouch on Bruce here.
Robertson's Newcastle warning
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has warned his team-mates not to take anything for granted ahead of Wednesday night's trip to St. James' Park.
Robertson played under Bruce when he was at Hull City and knows all too well about how he can get his teams to play on certain days.
After the Reds' 1-1 draw with West Brom, the Scotland captain said: "We go to Newcastle and we try to bounce back, of course we do. But it’s going to be another tough task.
"I know Steve Bruce’s teams will give absolutely everything, they always have done. I know Newcastle is never an easy place to go.
"So we need to be a lot better than we were in the second half today to get anything there, and we need to try to bounce back and try to get back on track."
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