Newcastle United fans will be looking forward to watching their team's new signings in action, but they will have to wait a little while.
Newcastle last played a competitive fixture on Saturday January 22, when Eddie Howe's beat Leeds to earn their second win of the season and first away from home.
By the time Newcastle are next in action, when they welcome Everton to St James' Park on Tuesday February 8, it will be 17 days between competitive games, as the Magpies failed to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup, which takes place on the weekend.
Read more: Newcastle's transfer window ins and outs
This weekend will be the second in a row without a full round of Premier League fixtures. There is one Premier League match this weekend, Burnley v Watford, which is allowed to go ahead on Saturday February 5 as it has been twice postponed and neither team made it through to the FA Cup Fourth Round.
Why is there (almost) no Premier League football this weekend?
The Premier League is on a two-week winter break between January 24 and February 8.
For many teams, it is just a one-week break, as they will be playing FA Cup fixtures this weekend.
But Newcastle were dumped out of the Cup by Cambridge United in early January, so they are among the teams with another weekend off from Friday February 4 to Monday February 7.
The break gave clubs the chance to rest players or - like Newcastle - head off on warm weather training camps.
The dates were also chosen to complement international fixtures that require players to leave their clubs and travel around the world.
Many Premier League players have been involved in international matches over the break, including Newcastle's Miguel Almiron and new signings Bruno Guimarães and Chris Wood. The African Cup of Nations and World Cup Qualifier fixtures in North America, South America, and Asia have taken place during the break. The Afcon concludes with semi finals on Wednesday and Thursday and the final on Sunday.
There is one Premier League fixture on Saturday February 5. Newcastle's relegation rivals Burnley and Watford take each other on at Turf Moor. The fixture has been moved to February 5 as it has twice been postponed twice due to Covid outbreaks. Neither side progressed in the FA Cup Third Round, so are clear to play each other this weekend.
EFL sides that did not reach the FA Cup Third Round are also in league action this weekend, including Sunderland, who take on Doncaster in League One.
Where else to watch a match in the North East this weekend
Sunderland are playing at home against Doncaster on Saturday, February 5, but that might not be the best choice for supporters whose allegiance is with Newcastle...
But there is plenty of choice around the non-leagues.
Gateshead, who top the National League north under Mike Williamson, take on fellow promotion hopefuls AFC Fylde at the Gateshead International Stadium. Tickets are on sale now.
Elsewhere in the National League North, Blyth Spartans have a home match v York City at Croft Park on Saturday. Tickets are on sale here.
Morpeth play Nantwich in the Northern Premier League on Saturday.
In the Northern League, Ashington, Bishop Auckland, Crook Town, Newcastle Benfield, Sunderland Ryhope and Seaham Red Star are among the teams with home matches on Saturday.
Those who want to watch a team from Newcastle play in black and white stripes can head to Grounsell Park in High Heaton, where Heaton Stannington take on Tow Law on Saturday.
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