Christmas is back on for Toon!

Dec 23 2007 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

CHRISTMAS is back on at Newcastle United – after boss Sam Allardyce ditched controversial plans to take his players on a four-day festive break.

The Magpies squad faced being parted from their families from Christmas night until late on Saturday, with their manager keen to keep them together from the eve of the Boxing Day clash at Wigan until next Saturday’s game at Chelsea.

That prompted talks between Allardyce and several senior players uneased by the prospect of yuletide away from their loved ones.

But it’s all change over Christmas now, with Big Sam having failed to find room at the inn for his squad.

“Based on the lack of facilities, the weather and the hotels not being at 100 per cent, we are not going away for quite as long as we considered before,” said Allardyce.

“We won’t be going away for a few days.”

Meanwhile, it will be no surprise if Michael Owen missed all three of the Magpies’ Christmas games as his recovery from hamstring trouble drags on.

Allardyce has definitely ruled the England striker out of today’s game against Derby and the trip to Wigan, but Stamford Bridge is also looking an unlikely venue for Owen’s comeback.

“We always said it was going to be quite some considerable time,” said Big Sam on Owen. “We were hoping we could bring it forward, but anything before the end of this year is going to be ahead of time.”

However, there is a strong chance that Abdoulaye Faye will play a part in the next six days, having recovered from a calf strain.

And with Steven Taylor also fit again, Allardyce suddenly has plenty of defensive options at hand.

Damien Duff may also play a part at Chelsea and against Manchester City on New Year’s Day.