Newcastle United s trip to Southampton this weekend has become the latest Premier League fixture to be postponed due to the number of coronavirus cases and injuries in the Magpies squad.
United were due to take on Southampton at St Mary s Stadium in their opening game of 2022 on Sunday aiming to build on their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
However, having had their scheduled meeting with Everton called off on Thursday, Newcastle confirmed on Friday that their next match will also not go ahead as planned.
The postponement was put down to several players and staff having succumbed to illness and injury over the festive period .
Following a request from Newcastle, the Premier League Board has regrettably agreed to postpone the club s away fixture against Southampton, due to be played at 2pm on Sunday 2 January
Full statement:
— Premier League (@premierleague)
Newcastle only named eight substitutes instead of the permitted nine, including two goalkeepers, for Monday s draw with Ralf Rangnick s side.
Eddie Howe s side also lost Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser to injury in that game, while Javier Manquillo is serving a suspension.
The minimum player availability required by the league to allow a game to go ahead is 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper.
A statement from the Premier League added: The league aims to provide as much clarity as possible but unfortunately postponements sometimes have to be made at short notice, as safety is our priority.
Where possible, the league will endeavour to keep supporters updated if games become at risk on a matchday.
Seventeen games have now been postponed since the start of December in the English top flight, with Leicester City versus Norwich City this weekend also having to be rescheduled.
