DARREN Ambrose is desperate to shake off a niggling hamstring injury - even though a return to fitness would ruin his family Christmas.

Newcastle's medical staff will run the rule over the former Ipswich midfielder later today before deciding whether or not he will join the rest of the United squad as they travel to Blackburn ahead of Sunday's game.

A thumbs down would allow Ambrose to enjoy a rare Christmas Day with his family, who also travelled to the North-East when their son left Suffolk last March.

But, while a thumbs up would see the 20-year-old forcing down his Christmas dinner before training tomorrow afternoon, he is ready to sacrifice his festive fayre in order to help Newcastle turn their stuttering season around.

Ambrose has enjoyed Christmas celebrations of a different kind in the last two years - scoring for Newcastle against Leicester on Boxing Day last year and also netting for Ipswich 12 months earlier - and, while he will be leaving enough time to open his presents tomorrow, he would love to see his Christmas routine ruined again.

"I'd love to be in the team on Boxing Day," said the 20-year-old, who has featured in all of United's last three games. "I've scored on Boxing Day for the last two years and I'd like to do the same again.

"My mum and dad are living in Hexham so we'll have time together as a family. I'm living with my girlfriend so it's not as if I'll be on my own.

"We'll all get up on Christmas morning, open the presents and get the dinner in early. Then I'll head off for training and start thinking about Blackburn."

After winning just two league games in the last three months, Boxing Day's game has assumed immense importance for a United side rapidly losing touch with the leading pack.

Fourth-placed Manchester United are 13 points ahead of the Magpies, while last weekend's result means sixth-placed Liverpool are now seven points clear.

The Christmas period is more important than ever this year, with crucial games against Arsenal, Birmingham and West Brom following Sunday's trip to Blackburn.

Nothing has gone to plan this month but, with 12 points available in the next nine days, things could yet look very different by the time United face Yeading in the FA Cup.

"Football can change in a matter of days," said Ambrose. "And the festive period can be the making of Newcastle. There are so many points to play for and we could go into the New Year on a high.

"If we can win four games in eight days there will be no doom and gloom. It's a tall order but in our position we have to aim high.

"Suddenly we could be back up there. We know what the outlook is if the worst happens and nobody wants that. If we lose games and draw games then we're still in the lower reaches and still in trouble. As things stand, we're confident we can fight for a European place."

There wasn't much sign of that fight in last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, with Newcastle's players coming under fire for a perceived lack of pride and passion as they slipped to another tame defeat.

The loss of inspirational skipper Alan Shearer has undoubtedly robbed the Magpies of their driving force but, with the number nine likely to be out for the next month, some of the club's supposed lesser lights will have to take on more responsibility.

Ambrose does not turn 21 until February, but after making 47 appearances in a black and white shirt the midfielder is ready to follow Jermaine Jenas' lead by taking added responsibility onto his young shoulders.

"When you look around the pitch and you're surrounded by players of a similar age, you can't expect someone else to take the responsibility," he said. "It's suddenly up to you.

"Every time you go out there you gain more experience, play in different situations and feel different pressures. If you take that on board then you can use it to your advantage in the future.

"I might be young, but I've played a lot of games for Newcastle. There's no reason why I shouldn't be taking more responsibility out there.

"There are players like James Milner and Steven Taylor who are far less experienced than me, but they don't look out of place in the Premiership either."

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