The Premier League has confirmed that the match between Southampton and Newcastle United, due to be played on January 2, has been postponed.

Newcastle lodged a request for the game to be called off due to having insufficient players to fulfil the fixture, with a mixture of an ongoing coronavirus outbreak and a lengthy injury list limiting their numbers.

The Magpies also saw their match against Everton on Thursday called off due to a depleted squad.

Eddie Howe's side are thought to be missing at least four players through COVID-19, while injuries on top of that mean that they are currently without at least 12 of their first-team squad.

Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin both picked up injuries during Newcastle's last match, against Manchester United, leaving their threadbare squad even thinner.

"Southampton's match against Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium, due to be played at 14:00 BST on Sunday 2 January, has regrettably been postponed," read a statement from the Premier League.

"Newcastle continue to have ongoing COVID-19 cases and injuries that led to their match against Everton being called off earlier this week.

"The Board accepted the postponement application as the club do not have the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper)."

The match becomes the 18th different Premier League fixture to be postponed during the latest wave of coronavirus.