This is why Newcastle United's players will NOT train on Christmas Day

The club takes on Manchester United on Boxing Day, but Bruce won’t have the squad in for a training session the day before.

Instead, the players will spend the day with their families before travelling to Manchester that night.

“I’ve given the players Christmas Day off, because we travel to Manchester on the night,” said head coach Bruce. “I think it would be unfair of me to bring them in on the morning then ask them to travel. They’ll enjoy their Christmas morning with their families, then we’re back to work.”

Newcastle are ninth in the Premier League table ahead of the game. Bruce said: “I can’t fault their attitude and spirit. We set them up, but they’ve got to show they’re resolute, difficult to play against and difficult to beat.”