Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce would prefer his players skip their Christmas party this season.

Bruce says the players are 'sensible enough' to know 'there isn't enough time' to have a Christmas party this year because of the Magpies' packed fixture schedule.

"I don't think there will be time for a Christmas party, but we're not banning anything. We will wait until the January sales!" he told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash against Man City.

"I think it's too important a time. We're very fortunate in what we do and Christmas time is the one area where we're not like everyone else. We have to be at work. While everyone else is enjoying themselves, we'll be here.

"There will be time, hopefully in January, when we can have a do together. But with the games coming up, I don't think there'll be any Christmas parties.

"I think they're sensible enough to know that we've got so many games that there isn't enough time. I don't think there will be Christmas parties in the Premier League this year. It's probably a thing of the past. So I suppose, maybe, we will get together in January."