The secret to Newcastle's pre-Christmas revival can be revealed: Santa Claus, hot chocolate, profiteroles and snow tubing!
Confidential can reveal that the squad and their families enjoyed a trip to Winter Wonderland in Kielder last week, with staff almost falling off their sleds during the festive experience as the Toon stars arrived en masse.
My sources tell me that everyone had a great time, with the players even bombing down an artificial ramp in donut-shaped rings! Snow tubing, it's called.
Jacob Murphy would have especially enjoyed the profiterole bags on offer. In any case, it did him no harm, as he scored twice during Saturday's 4-0 win over Leicester.
The children got to meet Santa and pick out a present from the 'Joyporium' cave, but two wins the following week were the best present Eddie Howe could have asked for.
Stay or go, Martin?
Newcastle will let Martin Dubravka decide in January whether he wants to leave the club, Confidential understands.
There is interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab for the goalkeeper, although reports of an agreement between the clubs are premature.
The situation is complicated by a knee injury to Nick Pope, with the number 1 expected to be out until the second half of January.
Dubravka has started the last two games and is expected to stay between the posts for at least the next six games, including the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. That would almost certainly mean Eddie Howe wants the Slovak to stay on Tyneside.
However, the club will gauge what Dubravka wants to do and it is understood that he may ask to leave, especially if the contract length and wages on offer in Saudi Arabia suit his personal circumstances. His contract with Newcastle expires this summer and he turns 36 next month.
If so, he could stay until Pope is fit, with Greek stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos continuing as understudy.
But even if Dubravka were to leave, it would not necessarily free up space for the PSR for incomes. There is a perception on that front that the club would be better off not spending any money in January to allow for greater investment in future windows, given the way PSR calculations work.
New Trafford action
Newcastle will continue to hold on to their goalkeepers and will make a renewed attempt to sign James Trafford in 2025.
Sources say the club's interest remains strong – they came close to signing the Burnley keeper in the summer – and the Cumbrian-born player is still keen on a move to St James' Park.
A deal in January would be unlikely as the 22-year-old plays for the Clarets every week and they are in the hunt for promotion to the Premier League.
But Trafford fits the profile of a young goalkeeper who the club ultimately sees as the successor to first-choice Nick Pope.
We reported in the summer that the framework for a move was in place, only for Burnley to ask for more money than Newcastle were willing and able to pay.
Lost and found!
Sven Botman only lost track once on Monday evening when returning from injury for the Under-21s – and that was when he tried to find the tunnel after leaving the pitch!
The centre-back played an hour-long comeback after a nine-month ACL absence during a 3-2 win over Chelsea at Whitley Park.
But there is the oddity of two staircases leading to different entrances in the Benton venue and Botman looked bewildered as, after being substituted, he tried to climb the stairs to the changing rooms further away.
He soon dropped his shoulder and walked towards the tunnel next to which a strong contingent of Newcastle teammates and staff had gathered. It was a big show of support for the Dutchman, who quickly accepted hugs and handshakes from Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, James Bunce, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Sean Longstaff and Jamaal Lascelles.
The Magpies will now look to arrange a number of behind-closed-doors friendlies to further strengthen Botman's frame, with mid-January likely to be the earliest he will be ready to start first-team games. They are unlikely to push him to play from the start in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in early January, even though centre-back Fabian Schar is suspended for that tie.
Miley stays
Lewis Miley played in the Under-21 match against Chelsea and Eddie Howe has now confirmed Confidential's story from last week that the midfielder will not be leaving on loan next month.
The midfielder's reintroduction following his injury has been slow and steady, but it is hoped he will play a prominent role in the second half of the season.
Miley, 18, is an example to everyone who played on Monday that advancement to the higher ranks is possible if you take your chance.
To that end, keep an eye on midfielder Anthony Munda. He is four months younger than Miley and the staff believes he has all the skills to step up over time.
Anyway, an incentive
In line with the academy, my sources tell me that Eddie Howe has been a much more frequent visitor this season.
Given the club's young players have seen what the head coach has done for the likes of Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento – all of whom have won England caps within 15 months of joining – the incentive to be promoted to the senior academy is almost just so big. a prize for debuting in the first team.
Howe's increased presence is a source of excitement and encouragement for the academy's prospects, and the boss appreciates the importance of player progression in a PSR world.
Northern Lights
It's the time of year when St James' Park is lit up 24/7 – and Confidential can reveal the source of the light!
Because the Milburn Stand blocks natural sunlight on the pitch, grounds staff have to roll out artificial heat lamps 24 hours a day. The only time the lights aren't on on the field is when the players are!
Like Sven Botman, Newcastle's lamps were imported from the Netherlands.
SHOW TEASER!
It's Toon Teaser time. Last week's puzzle was: can you name the THIRTEEN players who have played for Newcastle and Leicester since 1992? The answers were; Patrick van Aanholt, Harvey Barnes, Franz Carr, Carl Cort, Nikos Dabizas, Les Ferdinand, Keith Gillespie, Steve Howey, Ayoze Perez, Danny Simpson, Islam Slimani, Nobby Solano and Chis Wood.
This week's question is: can you name the SIXTEEN players who have played for Newcastle and Ipswich since 1992? I couldn't believe there were so many! I tried without knowing the number and got seven! Sorry guys, this one is hard…
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