Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has insisted players have to come first as the Premier League wrestles with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Magpies head into the new year still dealing with the after-effects of an outbreak which has left key players, including skipper Jamaal Lascelles and star man Allan Saint-Maximin, battling their way back from the virus.
Newcastle's scheduled league trip to Aston Villa earlier this month was postponed as a result and Manchester City and Fulham have since had to call off fixtures following positive tests.
Bruce understands why there have been calls in some quarters for a circuit breaker.