Why Eddie Howe has cancelled Newcastle United's Christmas party

Eddie Howe has explained the thinking behind cancelling Newcastle United's Christmas party this year.

Newcastle are fresh off a big win over Fulham, having suffered Champions League heartbreak following their elimination from the competition.

The Magpies head into the Christmas period with a set of demanding fixtures, which begins tomorrow as they travel to Chelsea for a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.

Newcastle, who occupy sixth place in the Premier League table, then resume their league campaign on December 23 when they take on Luton Town before hosting Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Ahead of Newcastle's fixtures across two competitions, Howe has decided to cancel this year's Christmas party, citing a busy schedule.

"Christmas party? Dressing up as superheroes? I certainly hope not. If they are, it is unknown to me," he said via the Mirror. "We have got too many games, too busy a schedule for a party like that I hope.

"We want the games, we want the competition. We want the excitement of challenging for trophies. That's where we have to be, not just now but in the future. January sounds like a good month doesn't it, it sounds like a lot of fun, I'm looking forward to that."

Newcastle United celebrate scoring a goal against Fulham. Image: Getty

Howe's side were beaten finalists in last season's Carabao Cup as they succumbed to Erik ten Hag's Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

"The dream didn't turn to reality, but maybe this year," added the 46-year-old.

He takes his side to Stamford Bridge without several key players to injury and suspension as well as enduring difficult draws in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

But the Newcastle boss sees the positive in the situation they find themselves in.

"It’s no fun if it’s easy, is it? We’ve been thrust into the most difficult cup draws and taken us out of our comfort zone," he said. "It’s made us improve. It’s a positive. It is forcing us to improve continually and to be the team we want to be long term, we have to be exposed to those games to get closer."