Newcastle United players have cancelled Christmas as they risk being sucked into the relegation battle.

Toon players normally have a night out to let their hair down ahead of the busy festive programme and partied away in Glasgow last year.

But after just one win from their last seven Premier League games, Alan Pardew's men have decided now is not the right time to go out on the town.

A St James' Park source told The Sun: "With the run the team have been on, the players think it would look bad to be seen out having a few beers.

"They don't want anything to distract from what is a really tough few weeks ahead."