Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have released a message to Newcastle United fans ahead of 2022.
Elsewhere, the Magpies' request to postpone their upcoming clash with Southampton has been granted in the wake of their ongoing Covid-19 and injury crisis.
Here are your Newcastle United headlines for December 31:
Owners' message
Newcastle United co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have released a pledge ahead of the New Year.
The directors have addressed the need for January signings and say they are prepared to do business in the upcoming transfer window.
And insist that despite the Magpies' precarious position, they are optimistic about what lies ahead in the second half of the season.
Go here for all the latest Newcastle United news
Southampton clash postponed
Newcastle United's trip to Southampton has been called off after the Premier League approved the Magpies' request for a postponement.
The long journey to Hampshire for fans needed a reasonable amount of notice for the 3,300 travelling supporters with Newcastle informing fans on Friday lunchtime the game would need to be rescheduled.
A statement from United read: "Sunday’s Premier League clash between Southampton and Newcastle United at St. Mary’s Stadium has been postponed due to ongoing Covid-19 cases and injuries amongst the Magpies’ first-team squad.
"The match is the second successive Newcastle United fixture to be postponed following the cancellation of Thursday’s scheduled game at Everton, with several players and staff having succumbed to illness and injury over the festive period.
"In accordance with protocol, the Magpies submitted a separate request to the Premier League to postpone the trip to the south coast, and this has been approved by the Premier League Board.
West Ham TV pick
Newcastle United's clash at West Ham has now been given an earlier kick-off time after being selected for TV coverage.
Eddie Howe's side are still in action in the capital on February 19, but the contest at the London Stadium will now get under way at 12.30pm.
BT Sport has selected the contest for live coverage, with the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season broadcast by Sky Sports.
Balague on Trippier
Atletico Madrid are still deciding whether to let Kieran Trippier go in January or hang on to him until the end of season, according to Guillem Balague.
Speaking on the BBC 5Live’s Euro Leagues show last night, Balague was asked whether the rumours about Trippier signing for Newcastle were true.
Balague said: “Trippier has been approached. He likes the idea of going back. He doesn’t want to play in the Championship.
“But he would like to play for Newcastle next season, yes. I think he’s got a buy-out clause of about €31m or something like that.
“He has enjoyed Atletico Madrid but I feel he is ready to go back, go back to England."
2021 woes
Football data analyst Ben Mayhew has created his annual table of every Premier League and EFL club sorted by points per game - and it doesn't make for great reading for Newcastle United fans.
Mayhew, who published the table on his website Experimental36, puts all 92 clubs in a league table sorted by points won per game, based on only league matches and without including point deductions.
In his very long table, Newcastle United are a long, long, long way down, appearing in 91st place with the second-worst points per game of all 92 clubs in the top four divisions: 0.88. The worst team is Burnley, who are in 92nd place with a points per game of 0.87.
Vilca return
Newcastle United's squad has been boosted by the return of another body in the shape of Rodrigo Vilca.
The 22-year-old Peruvian playmaker has returned at his own request after a half-season loan at Doncaster Rovers ended after 13 appearances and two goals.
Vilca is wanted by Alianza Lima but is keen to remain on Tyneside and stake his claim at Benton amid the club's Covid crisis.
Sources close to the player have told Chronicle Live he is eager to stay in the UK and show what he can do - preferably in Newcastle colours.
Howe's promise
Eddie Howe has made a tactical promise to Newcastle United fans going into 2022.
With the calendar year ending early because of the postponement of the clash with Everton, the action gets under way for another year at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In Newcastle's last game the Magpies pressed for long periods and while they were second best in the possession stats, they created a host of chances against Manchester United before taking a 1-1 draw.
Loans latest
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is set to delay decisions on outgoing loan deals until the club get over their current Covid crisis.
However, that could be good news for midfield pair Joe White and Elliot Anderson who are in strong contention to take part in the FA Cup third round clash at home to Cambridge United.
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
Howe said he would deal with the FA Cup when the situation comes up but he is under extra pressure to rest both Jonjo Shelvey and Sean Longstaff for the clash with the League One side - not least after Isaac Hayden was ruled out for two months after a knee operation and Joe Willock has also been absent.
White and Anderson have stepped up to the bench in the last two Premier League games but are potentially edging closer to top-flight minutes with a host of seniors struggling to make the squad for the clash with Southampton.
