Christian Atsu and Newcastle teammates spread Christmas cheers

Christian Atsu and his Newcastle teammates took a break from their Premier League promotion push to spread some Christmas joy at the local Great North Childrens Hospital at Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Rafael Benitez the manager of Newcastle accompanied his team to socialise with the poor children in the hospital to put smiles on their faces in this festive period.

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The players who took gave up their afternoon included Christian Atsu, Jonjo Shelvey, Ciaran Clark, Karl Darlow, Isaac Hayden and Daryl Murphy.

Rafael Benitez during the visit said : 'We're glad to be here because it obviously means a lot to the children and their families. Apart from one fan, they have all been really happy to see us.

'I have two children and I know it's important for these parents to have some time they can enjoy.'

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Newcastle can give the children even more to cheer about if they can continue their form in the second half of the Championship season.

The Magpies are odds-on favourite to win promotion back to the Premier League, currently sitting top of the second tier. Although they only lead second-placed Brighton by just one point, they are, crucially, nine clear of Reading in third place.

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A win in their next game, a Boxing Day match-up with Sheffield Wednesday, would see them finish the first round of 23 matches with 52 points, one of the highest ever achieved in Championship history.