Newcastle United's training headquarters had been closed due to a surge in positive Covid-19 test results amongst players and staff. PA
Newcastle United's training headquarters had been closed due to a surge in positive Covid-19 test results amongst players and staff. PA
Newcastle United's training headquarters had been closed due to a surge in positive Covid-19 test results amongst players and staff. PA
Newcastle United's training headquarters had been closed due to a surge in positive Covid-19 test results amongst players and staff. PA

Newcastle United players set for return to training following coronavirus outbreak


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Newcastle United players will return to training on Tuesday following the postponement of their game against Aston Villa last week due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

United's Darsley Park training headquarters had been closed as a result of the spike.

The Magpies were due to head for Villa Park on Friday evening, but were granted permission to reschedule the fixture.

Players and staff who were tested on Sunday have since undergone another round of checks as medics work to identify the source of the outbreak, with the return of squad members to Tyneside following last month's international break understood to be a focus.

In a statement on Twitter, the Premier League club wrote: "United's players will train at the Training Centre today following a temporary closure last week due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

"Those who had tested positive will follow relevant protocols before returning. Thanks for your messages of support to our players and staff."

The Villa game was the first Premier League fixture this season to be postponed as a result of Covid-19.

Newcastle, who are due to face West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on Saturday, have not identified those affected or confirmed the number of cases amid speculation that the outbreak may have reached double figures.

Steve Bruce's side sit 13th in the table having won their previous match 2-0 at Crystal Palace, courtesy of two late goals from top scorer Callum Wilson and Joelinton.

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Palace v Newcastle player ratings

  • CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita - 6: Spaniard had dealt easily with Newcastle's powder-puff finishing but was then exposed late on and had no chance with goals. AP
    CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita - 6: Spaniard had dealt easily with Newcastle's powder-puff finishing but was then exposed late on and had no chance with goals. AP
  • Nathaniel Clyne - 7: On back foot early on and ball played behind him down right to Joelinton almost provided Newcastle with early goal. Improved as match went on. EPA
    Nathaniel Clyne - 7: On back foot early on and ball played behind him down right to Joelinton almost provided Newcastle with early goal. Improved as match went on. EPA
  • Scott Dann - 4: Poor night for the captain. Distribution was sloppy and one awful ball out of defence straight to Joelinton on brink of half-time should have been punished but Brazilian wasted chance. Foul on Longstaff with 12 minutes to go handed dangerous free-kick to Newcastle that Ritchie wasted. Skinned by Joelinton before Brazilian scuffed home second goal. Getty
    Scott Dann - 4: Poor night for the captain. Distribution was sloppy and one awful ball out of defence straight to Joelinton on brink of half-time should have been punished but Brazilian wasted chance. Foul on Longstaff with 12 minutes to go handed dangerous free-kick to Newcastle that Ritchie wasted. Skinned by Joelinton before Brazilian scuffed home second goal. Getty
  • Gary Cahill - 7: Vital early block to deny Wilson chance at near post. Half-chance with header just after break. Deflected Joelinton shot into net for second Newcastle goal. EPA
    Gary Cahill - 7: Vital early block to deny Wilson chance at near post. Half-chance with header just after break. Deflected Joelinton shot into net for second Newcastle goal. EPA
  • Patrick Van Aanholt - 6: One dreadful free-kick when well-placed on edge of box on hour mark. Fine cross from left handed Benteke chance but should have done better with ball into box late on with Batshuayi waiting. AFP
    Patrick Van Aanholt - 6: One dreadful free-kick when well-placed on edge of box on hour mark. Fine cross from left handed Benteke chance but should have done better with ball into box late on with Batshuayi waiting. AFP
  • Andros Townsend - 5: Disappointing match for the former Newcastle winger who failed to offer any attacking threat. Reuters
    Andros Townsend - 5: Disappointing match for the former Newcastle winger who failed to offer any attacking threat. Reuters
  • Cheikhou Kouyate - 6: Back in preferred midfield role and produced solid performance. One scuffed finish wide with half-chance in second half. Getty
    Cheikhou Kouyate - 6: Back in preferred midfield role and produced solid performance. One scuffed finish wide with half-chance in second half. Getty
  • James McArthur - 7: Usual work ethic from the Scottish midfielder, plenty of tasty challenges and a couple of surging runs forward. Getty
    James McArthur - 7: Usual work ethic from the Scottish midfielder, plenty of tasty challenges and a couple of surging runs forward. Getty
  • Jeffrey Schlupp - 7: Palace’s biggest attacking threat with Wilfried Zaha out. Held off Fernandez but saw shot well saved by Darlow in opening 45 minutes and headed chance wide with half-time whistle closing. A menace throughout. Getty
    Jeffrey Schlupp - 7: Palace’s biggest attacking threat with Wilfried Zaha out. Held off Fernandez but saw shot well saved by Darlow in opening 45 minutes and headed chance wide with half-time whistle closing. A menace throughout. Getty
  • Eberechi Eze - 6: Forced save out of Darlow with team’s first shot on target after 24 minutes but Palace needed more from the former QPR man. Getty
    Eberechi Eze - 6: Forced save out of Darlow with team’s first shot on target after 24 minutes but Palace needed more from the former QPR man. Getty
  • Jordan Ayew - 4: Non-existent as attacking threat in first half. Handed half-chance by Schlupp just after break but could only push a shot well wide. Reuters
    Jordan Ayew - 4: Non-existent as attacking threat in first half. Handed half-chance by Schlupp just after break but could only push a shot well wide. Reuters
  • SUBS: Christian Benteke (On for Ayew 66’) 7: Instantly offered Palace more penetration up front and excellent downward header saved by Darlow. AFP
    SUBS: Christian Benteke (On for Ayew 66’) 7: Instantly offered Palace more penetration up front and excellent downward header saved by Darlow. AFP
  • Jairo Riedewald (On for Townsend 67’) 7: One superb tackle stopped dangerous Newcastle counter-attack. AP
    Jairo Riedewald (On for Townsend 67’) 7: One superb tackle stopped dangerous Newcastle counter-attack. AP
  • Michy Batshuayi (On for McArthur 82’) N/A: Could have given Palace lead had Van Aanholt not over-hit cross. Getty
    Michy Batshuayi (On for McArthur 82’) N/A: Could have given Palace lead had Van Aanholt not over-hit cross. Getty
  • NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Karl Darlow - 7: Premier League’s busiest goalkeeper had quiet start to match but then was called into action and produced several important stops. PA
    NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Karl Darlow - 7: Premier League’s busiest goalkeeper had quiet start to match but then was called into action and produced several important stops. PA
  • Javier Manquillo - 7: Perfect cross from right in second half handed Wilson chance that striker headed just wide. Usual reliable show defensively and going forwards from the Spaniard. AP
    Javier Manquillo - 7: Perfect cross from right in second half handed Wilson chance that striker headed just wide. Usual reliable show defensively and going forwards from the Spaniard. AP
  • Ciaran Clark - 8: Former Aston Villa defender was assured presence back in team, playing the ball out well from the back and making quality interceptions. Man of the match.
    Ciaran Clark - 8: Former Aston Villa defender was assured presence back in team, playing the ball out well from the back and making quality interceptions. Man of the match.
  • Federico Fernandez - 7: Booked in first 20 minutes for body check on Schlupp and then outpaced by same player just before half hour and was relieved to see Darlow come to rescue. But called on to make some important challenges including once magnificent block to deny Benteke in last 10 minutes. Reuters
    Federico Fernandez - 7: Booked in first 20 minutes for body check on Schlupp and then outpaced by same player just before half hour and was relieved to see Darlow come to rescue. But called on to make some important challenges including once magnificent block to deny Benteke in last 10 minutes. Reuters
  • Jamal Lewis - 6: Left-back produced assured performance. Nice turn and shot just before break but effort with weaker right foot didn’t trouble Guaita. Getty
    Jamal Lewis - 6: Left-back produced assured performance. Nice turn and shot just before break but effort with weaker right foot didn’t trouble Guaita. Getty
  • Jonjo Shelvey- 7: Welcomed back from injury and captain on night with Jamaal Lascelles out. Always the man to drive team forward, sprayed ball around in trademark style. Almost scored with late free-kick. Reuters
    Jonjo Shelvey- 7: Welcomed back from injury and captain on night with Jamaal Lascelles out. Always the man to drive team forward, sprayed ball around in trademark style. Almost scored with late free-kick. Reuters
  • Sean Longstaff - 6: A couple of raking cross-field balls to switch the play from the Geordie midfielder. Booked for sliding challenge as Schlupp with Palace man baring in on penalty area. PA
    Sean Longstaff - 6: A couple of raking cross-field balls to switch the play from the Geordie midfielder. Booked for sliding challenge as Schlupp with Palace man baring in on penalty area. PA
  • Jeff Hendrick - 5: No faulting his positioning or workrate in midfield but offered nothing going forward or in possession to the extent you forgot he was playing at times. Getty
    Jeff Hendrick - 5: No faulting his positioning or workrate in midfield but offered nothing going forward or in possession to the extent you forgot he was playing at times. Getty
  • Miguel Almiron - 5: The pacey Paraguayan was again a disappointment for Newcastle and is struggling to find his role in manager Steve Bruce’s line-up. PA
    Miguel Almiron - 5: The pacey Paraguayan was again a disappointment for Newcastle and is struggling to find his role in manager Steve Bruce’s line-up. PA
  • Joelinton - 7: Numerous chances in first half but either blazed high and wide or hit tamely straight at Guaita. Missed header in second period after great cross from Ritchie. But did cause Palace problems throughout and supplied ball for Wilson’s winner. Lucky to see another scuffed shot deflected into net by Cahill. PA
    Joelinton - 7: Numerous chances in first half but either blazed high and wide or hit tamely straight at Guaita. Missed header in second period after great cross from Ritchie. But did cause Palace problems throughout and supplied ball for Wilson’s winner. Lucky to see another scuffed shot deflected into net by Cahill. PA
  • Callum Wilson - 7: Newcastle would have been frustrated that chances kept falling to Wilson’s partner up front rather than the former Bournemouth man. Saw header float just wide in second half and then produced calm finish when put through by Joelinton. An out and out goalscorer. AP
    Callum Wilson - 7: Newcastle would have been frustrated that chances kept falling to Wilson’s partner up front rather than the former Bournemouth man. Saw header float just wide in second half and then produced calm finish when put through by Joelinton. An out and out goalscorer. AP
  • SUBS: Matt Ritchie (On for Almiron 68’) 7: Offered Newcastle some much needed width as soon as he came on. One great cross that Joelinton failed to capitalise on. Poor free-kick hit straight at keeper when well placed on edge of box. Fabian Schar (Joelinton 90+3') N/A. Getty
    SUBS: Matt Ritchie (On for Almiron 68’) 7: Offered Newcastle some much needed width as soon as he came on. One great cross that Joelinton failed to capitalise on. Poor free-kick hit straight at keeper when well placed on edge of box. Fabian Schar (Joelinton 90+3') N/A. Getty