The secret to Newcastle’s pre-Christmas revival can be revealed - Santa Claus, hot chocolates, profiteroles and snow tubing!
Confidential can reveal that the squad and their families enjoyed a trip to Winter Wonderland in Kielder last week, with staff at the festive experience almost falling off their sleighs when the Toon stars walked in en masse.
My sources tell me a good time was had by all, with the players even bombing down an artificial slope in donut-shaped rings! Snow tubing, it’s called.
Jacob Murphy was said to have particularly enjoyed the profiterole bags on offer. It certainly did him no harm, given he then went and scored twice during Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Leicester.
The children got to meet Santa Claus and pick a present from the ‘Joyporium’ grotto, but two wins in the week since has been the best gift for which Eddie Howe could have asked.
Stay or go, Martin?
Newcastle will let Martin Dubravka decide if he wants to leave the club in January, Confidential understands.
There is interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab in the goalkeeper, although reports of an agreement being reached between the clubs are premature.
The situation is complicated by a knee injury to Nick Pope, with the No.1 expected to be out until the latter half of January.
Dubravka has started the last two matches and is set to remain between the posts for at least the next six games, including a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. That would almost certainly mean Eddie Howe wanting the Slovakian to stay on Tyneside.
However, the club will gauge what Dubravka wishes to do and there is a realisation that he may ask to leave, especially if the contract length and wages on offer in Saudi Arabia suit his personal circumstance. His Newcastle deal expires in the summer and he turns 36 next month.
If so, it may be that he remains until Pope is fit, with Greece stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos continuing as understudy.
But even if Dubravka were to go, it would not necessarily free up PSR headroom for incomings. There is an understanding on that front that the club could be better served not spending in January and so enabling greater investment in future windows, given the manner in which PSR calculations work.
New Trafford move
Sticking with goalkeepers, Newcastle will make a renewed attempt to sign James Trafford in 2025.
Sources say the club’s interest remains strong - they came close to signing the Burnley keeper in the summer - and the Cumbria-born player is still keen on a move to St James’ Park.
A January deal would be unlikely given the 22-year-old is playing every week for the Clarets and they are in the hunt for promotion back to the Premier League.
But Trafford fits the profile of young goalkeeper the club eventually see succeeding Nick Pope as first choice.
We reported in the summer that the framework of a move was in place, only for Burnley to ask for more money than Newcastle were willing and able to pay.
Lost and found!
Sven Botman lost his bearings only once on his return from injury for the Under-21s on Monday night - and that was when he tried to find the tunnel after leaving the field!
The centre-back played for an hour on his comeback from a nine-month ACL absence during a 3-2 win over Chelsea at Whitley Park.
But there is the quirk of two sets of steps leading to different entrances at the Benton venue and Botman looked bemused when, after being substituted, he made out to climb the stairs towards the away changing rooms.
He soon dropped his shoulder and headed towards the tunnel next to which a strong contingent of Newcastle team-mates and staff were gathered. It was a big show of support for the Dutchman, who soon accepted hugs and handshakes from Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, James Bunce, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Sean Longstaff and Jamaal Lascelles.
The Magpies will now look to organise some behind-closed-doors practice matches to further strengthen Botman’s body, with the middle of January thought to be the earliest point at which he will be ready to start first-team games. They are unlikely to push him to feature from the off in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in early January, even though centre-back Fabian Schar is suspended for that tie.
Miley stays
Lewis Miley played in the Under-21s game against Chelsea, and Eddie Howe has now confirmed Confidential’s story from last week that the midfielder will not be leaving on loan next month.
The midfielder’s reintroduction after injury has been slow and steady but it is hoped he will feature prominently in the second half of the season.
Miley, 18, is an example to all of those who played on Monday that elevation to the senior ranks is possible, if seizing your opportunity.
To that end, keep an eye on midfielder Anthony Munda. He is four months younger than Miley and staff believe he has all the skills to step up given time.
Howe incentive
Keeping with the academy, my sources tell me Eddie Howe has been a far more frequent visitor this season.
Given the club’s young players have seen what the head coach has done for the likes of Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento - who have all won England caps within 15 months of joining - the incentive of winning promotion to senior training is almost as big a prize as a first-team debut.
Howe’s increased presence has been a source of excitement and encouragement for the academy prospects, and the boss appreciates the importance of player progression in a PSR world.
Northern lights
It is that time of year when St James’ Park is illuminated 24/7 - and Confidential can reveal the source of the light!
Because the Milburn Stand blocks natural sunlight to the pitch, groundstaff need to wheel out artificial heat lamps around the clock. Indeed, the only time when the lights are not on the pitch is when the players are!
Much like Sven Botman, Newcastle’s lights were imported from Holland.
TOON TEASER!
It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was: can you name the THIRTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Leicester since 1992. The answers were; Patrick van Aanholt, Harvey Barnes, Franz Carr, Carl Cort, Nikos Dabizas, Les Ferdinand, Keith Gillespie, Steve Howey, Ayoze Perez, Danny Simpson, Islam Slimani, Nobby Solano and Chis Wood.
This week’s question is: can you name the SIXTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Ipswich since 1992? I could not believe it was this many! I tried it without knowing the number and got seven! Sorry guys, this one is hard…