NEWCASTLE could face serious financial issues if they are relegated after it emerged the players do not have clauses in their contracts, according to reports.

Steve Bruce's Toon are deep in a relegation dogfight and sit one point adrift of Fulham who occupy 18th spot.

Their chances of survival were also rocked with key players Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin out injured until April.

Most Premier League clubs include 40 per cent wage cuts in players contracts if they suffer relegation to the Championship.

That is to help cover their backs with a dramatic decrease in revenue from TV deals and sponsorship.

But The Times report how Newcastle ignored adding such a clause in the contracts of players.

The club felt it could have put players off from joining the club in the transfer market.

Newcastle will need to continue paying their player's full wages in the second tier including the likes of Joelinton and Jonjo Shelvey.

Striker Joelinton is the club's top earner of £86,500-a-week while Shelvey pockets £70,000.

The likes of Almiron has a base salary of £42,300 but the Times add how his salary could increase to £80,000 with a series of performance-based incentives.

The same applies to Saint-Maximin and Wilson whose base salaries don't reflect their full weekly salary.

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Newcastle have an annual base salary of £56million although it is expected to be over £90m once all incentives and bonuses are paid.

The Toon are in torrid form having won just two out of their last 18 matches.

They host Aston Villa on Friday before a crunch relegation six-pointer with Brighton next weekend.

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