NEWCASTLE UNITED will not be playing on Christmas Eve – and they are also without a game on Boxing Day after the latest batch of televised Premier League matches was announced.

It had been feared that Sky were going to demand at least one game was moved to Christmas Eve, which falls on a Sunday this year, with Newcastle’s trip to West Ham United on December 23 having been mentioned as a possible contender for the slot.

However, amid fierce criticism from supporters’ groups and a number of clubs, Sky have relented and agreed there will be no televised Christmas Eve game.

Newcastle have still had three of their December games switched, with their planned Boxing Day home game with Manchester City put back a day to Wednesday, December 27 (7.45pm).

The away game at Chelsea on Saturday, December 2 will now kick-off at the earlier time of 12.30pm, with the home game against Leicester City on Saturday, December 9 now scheduled to start at a later time of 5.30pm.