Hello and welcome to the Newcastle United live blog for Tuesday, December 26.
Newcastle United are looking ahead to tomorrow's clash with Manchester City after beating West Ham before Christmas to move away from the relegation zone.
As well as a close eye on today's fixtures, Rafa Benitez is also continuing his search for new players ahead of next month's transfer window.
United have been linked with a crop of new names - Islam Slimani, Danny Ings and Charly Musonda were among the names linked on Wednesday.
We'll have the latest on the takeover and also January transfer rumours that are starting to stack up.
As ever we want to hear from you, so please send us your thoughts over Facebook at www.facebook.com/chroniclenufc/ or on Twitter at @ChronicleNUFC.
Key Events
Signing off
Thanks for joining us today.
Make sure you join us again tomorrow for all of the latest NUFC news, views and updates as well as live coverage of NUFC vs Man City.
Until then, we will leave you with today’s stories.
Why Rafa faces complex balancing act when it comes to Newcastle’s approach to January loan signings
Revealed: The key areas that Rafa Benitez is looking to fill in the January transfer window
Shay Given fears Newcastle will struggle to bring in the players they need in January
Will Henri Saivet keep his place in the starting line-up for Newcastle United against Man City?
Pep Guardiola reveals last ditch plans to scout Newcastle United ahead of big clash
Rafa Benitez explains his vision for Newcastle’s future - and how he can make United a top-8 side
Pep Guardiola warns his players to focus on Newcastle United not extending lead at the top
Newcastle vs Manchester City: Magpies handed massive odds to earn win against Citizens
Rafa Benitez reveals how many players he believes Newcastle must sign during January transfer window
Matt Ritchie explains why ‘desire’ will be crucial to Newcastle United’s survival hopes
Shola Ameobi gives hilarious response when asked if he would join a Kevin Nolan-led Sunderland
Alan Shearer congratulates Harry Kane on breaking his calendar year Premier League scoring record
Newcastle 16th as it stands
Bournemouth are leading 2-1, meaning they leapfrog Newcastle.
West Ham currently dropping back into the relegation zone.
Rafa's loan balancing act
Some difficult decisions for the boss to make next month, as Chris Waugh explains...
Where do NUFC need to strengthen?
Lee Ryder runs the rule over where NUFC must strengthen next month.
Lee Clark on where NUFC should strengthen in January
He told the Daily Star:
“You’re always looking at the spine of the team.
“Jamaal Lascelles has been terrific.
“But I think the goalkeeping position can be improved on.
“And I think a top drawer striker is something that the manager would like to have.
“Obviously when you’re talking about top drawer, they come in for a lot of money.
“And to get a top striker in January, there’s even more of a price added on then because clubs don’t want to sell their best players in the winter window.
“It’s difficult in January.
“Even though you might have the funds, it’s trying to get the type of players you want.”
Good old Shola
Legend.
Gibbo's Corner
A special podcast with John Gibson - remembering NUFC legend Jackie Milburn.
Yedlin: The player in focus
This should be good!
Record-breaking Kane
And Shearer’s congratulations...
Lee Clark on NUFC's 'potential' with a takeover
He told the Daily Star:
“It’s an unbelievably supported club. Full house every home game, terrific stadium.
“The training facilities and the academy, they’re good but they’re not as good as other clubs around the Premier League.
“But the main thing is what happens on the pitch. It’s about investing in the team.
“You’ve got those supporters coming week in, week out.”
Rafa wants business done next month
But what positions does he want to fill?
At a loss this afternoon?
Gateshead vs Hartlepool begins at 3pm. Huge north-east derby in the National League!
Shay Given shares his NUFC transfer fears
Anybody agree?
Ryan Taylor talk-in
This should be good...
The record breaking goal...
Shearer congratulates Kane
Classy as always from Big Al
Harry Kane breaks Shearer record
Harry Kane has just beaten Alan Shearer’s Premier League goals record in a calendar year.
In 1995 while at Blackburn Shearer scored 36 goals in the year. But Kane has just put Tottenham 1-0 up against Southampton, netting his 37th of 2017.
Past meetings with Man City
Look away now...
Can NUFC beat Man City?
Lee Ryder gives his prediction...
Pre-match facts
Do these stats offer any hope ahead of tomorrow?
Should Saivet keep his place tomorrow?
Shelvey, Merino and Hayden are expected to return...
Ciaran Clark: We could take City by surprise
He told NUFC TV:
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and concentration.
“They have obviously spent a lot of money on talent. The squad they have got is unbelievable.
“But we will go out there, work hard and give it our best shot and hopefully we can take the confidence from West Ham into the City game.
“When you play against City you know they are going to create lots of chances.
“If we can keep it tight and create a couple of chances we could take them by surprise.”
Tony Pulis new Boro boss
Breaking news...
Guardiola's warning for Man City players
Do not take Newcastle lightly.
Guardiola's scouting plans for NUFC clash
A bit last minute, Pep?
Rafa: I can make NUFC a top 8 side
Benitez explains his vision for NUFC.
Who do NUFC need in January?
Like the sound of this wishlist?
This team mustn't be mistaken for mercenaries of the past
There is a lot to like about this current Newcastle squad.
Ciaran Clark delighted with West Ham win
He told NUFC TV:
“It was a massive win.
“It was a tough game. They took the lead early on but Henri pulled a magnificent free-kick out the bag and in the end I think we managed to grind it out. “We deserved the points. We hit the bar twice in the first-half and we created chances.
“When we got the third I thought it would be comfortable but they got one back and got a penalty and you start to think ‘is it your day’.
“But we got the luck and we are very pleased.”
Lascelles on Saivet
The captain had high praise for NUFC’s comeback kid.