Without kicking a ball on Saturday, Christian Atsu's Newcastle United have found themselves on the verge of promotion certainty, just under year after being relegated from the Premier League.
United are second in The Championship - an automatic promotion spot - and will be guaranteed a place back in the top tier of English football with victory over Preston North End on Monday evening.
That match, at St James's Park, is likely to be a noisy affair, with tens of thousands of expectant Toon fans wanting to ensure that their side receives loud and enthusiastic support.
United are in this position because their two closest promotion rivals, Huddersfield and Reading, both lost on Saturday afternoon.
It means that if Newcastle win on Monday, the other two sides cannot overtake them.
Qualification will also serve as a massive boost to Ghana international Christian Atsu who joined the club in the summer after yet again failing to convince new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
- Performance of Ghanaian players abroad wrap-up: Nuamah, Mensah, Abagna, Tekpetey on target
- Frank Acheampong scores debut Chinese Super Lig goal for Henan FC
- Bernard Tekpetey scores twice in Ludogorets' 3-0 win over Hebar
- Osman Bukari shines with assist in Red Star Belgrade's thrilling league victory
- Arsenal to part ways with Thomas Partey over injury problems
- Read all related articles