The alterations start with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur for the first game of the month. That match at St. James’ Park will now be played a day earlier than first intended, kicking off at 8:15pm GMT on Tuesday, 2nd December and will be shown live on Sky Sports.

The date and time for the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light has also been changed. That game will now kick-off at 2pm GMT on Sunday, 14th December – a day later than initially scheduled. Sky Sports will broadcast that eagerly-anticipated fixture too.

And the visit of Chelsea to St. James’ Park has a new kick-off time. It will remain on Saturday, 20th December, but will get under way at 12:30pm GMT rather than 3pm GMT, and will be shown live on TNT Sports.

Any further changes to the Magpies’ fixture schedule will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.