Here are the Newcastle United evening headlines on Tuesday, December 29.
Schar opens up on Covid battle
Newcastle defender Fabian Schar has opened up on his coronavirus struggles following his return to action on Boxing Day.
Schar played in the Magpies' defeat to Manchester City over the festive period on the back of missing four games earlier this month after testing positive for the virus.
"I was happy to be back," the Swiss defender told NUFC TV. "I didn't think after my illness with COVID that I would be back on the pitch after one or two training sessions but it was nice to get that freedom from the gaffer.
"For 10 days, I was feeling quite bad. I was in bed doing nothing and I felt very weak. I needed some time to get over it and I didn't expect to be on the pitch like I was on Boxing Day but I felt quite good to play."
Read more from Schar here.
Liverpool star's Newcastle claim
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold believes Newcastle will 'challenge for things' this season.
Steve Bruce's side have struggled in recent weeks and are desperate not to be pulled into a relegation scrap at the bottom of the table.
However, Alexander-Arnold believes the Magpies will be challenging this season, with the defender speaking ahead of Wednesday night's Premier League clash between his Liverpool side and Bruce's team.
"I think they've picked up good results, they've also had results where they probably think they should've done better," the 22-year-old said to Premier League Productions.
"But in the grand scheme of things, I think they've performed well, brought in some new players and have proven that they're a good side and will challenge for things."
Read more from the Liverpool and England star here.
Fraser ruled out
Bruce has confirmed that Newcastle winger Ryan Fraser will be sidelined for the rest of the festive period after suffering a calf injury in last week's defeat to Brentford.
Fraser was ruled out for the Boxing Day defeat to Man City and now the Magpies boss has conceded that the Scotland international will be out for at least the next couple of games.
"Yeah. He hurt his groin and we've had an ongoing cycle with Ryan Fraser," Bruce said. "He had his hamstring and his groin.
"We all know that he didn't play. He's got a few problems in terms of muscle. How long will he be? I don't think he will make Liverpool, and the week after is a bit early as well."
