Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has branded the Premier League festive fixture schedule as "ludicrous" after his side suffered five injuries and were forced to play with 10 men in a 3-0 defeat against Leicester. Bruce lost full-backs Jetro Willems and Javier Manquillo during the first half, while Jonjo Shelvey was replaced at half-time as the Newcastle head coach made all three substitutes before the start of the second half. Captain Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Sung-Yueng Ki and Allan Saint-Maximin are also sidelined, meaning the Magpies now have 11 injured players - more than any other Premier League club. 0:30 Newcastle boss Steve Bruce described the Christmas fixture schedule as 'ludicrous' Newcastle boss Steve Bruce described the Christmas fixture schedule as 'ludicrous'"You don't want it to happen that way. "The Premier League have introduced a February winter break this season, which will take place across two weekends, but it is little comfort to the sides already decimated by fatigue-related injuries.

Source: Sky sports January 01, 2020 19:52 UTC