Coach states what Ryan Fraser has been like with Newcastle’s Under-21s

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Ryan Fraser’s Newcastle United first-team career is seemingly over, but that is not stopping him from impressing for the youth side.

It looked for all the world that Fraser was going to leave Newcastle during the January transfer window. He wanted to go, and the Magpies were happy to sell him. However, a move did not materialise.

Eddie Howe stated that he would love to see Fraser play for the club again, only to drop him from the senior squad on the eve of the Carabao Cup final.

The Toon boss stated that the 29-year-old does not have a future at St James’ Park, adding that he only wants to work with players who are committed to the group.

Fraser has not been seen since, working with Newcastle’s Under-21s while the senior side continue to challenge for a top four finish.

But there was a rare Fraser sighting on Monday. He started for the youth side in a Premier League 2 win over Norwich City. The young Magpies won 4-3, with Fraser scoring in the first half.

Newcastle coach delighted with Ryan Fraser

After the game, Newcastle’s Under-21s boss Ben Dawson spoke to the Athletic, and opened up about Fraser’s involvement with the youth setup.

“He’s [Fraser] been absolutely terrific, one of the best trainers every day,” he said.

“He maxes out physically. Mentally, he’s been great to have around the young lads in terms of seeing how he conducts himself in the building, how he looks after himself away from the building with his nutrition, with his gym work.”

Hard to see a way back for Fraser

Despite playing well and scoring for the Newcastle Under-21s in front of the watching Eddie Howe, it feels incredibly likely that the Scotland international’s Toon career is over. His bridges have been burned, just like they were at Bournemouth.

It is proving to be a sad end to what has been a disappointing move to Tyneside. Despite a brief spell of form after Howe’s arrival, Fraser has not really lived up to the hype in a black and white shirt.

That is a shame, but it is good to know that he is applying himself with the youth players and working hard. It would be easy for a player in his situation to sulk and be a distraction.

But that is not the case for Fraser, who Dawson believes is one of his ‘best trainers’.