Newcastle youngster praises 29-year-old teammate Howe wants to sell very soon

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Newcastle United youngster Matt Bondswell has heaped praise on an unlikely teammate for what they brought to training – forgotten man, Ryan Fraser.

Last season former Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser was banished to the Newcastle reserves by Eddie Howe as the gaffer swung the axe claiming he only wants players around who want to be here.

Howe and Fraser had a bit of a storied history following the way the Scotland international left Howe’s Bournemouth, effectively downing tools and leaving the camp during the pandemic. Fraser then signed for Newcastle under Steve Bruce, who was replaced by Eddie Howe.

Howe and Fraser have history

Their reunion was a big story when Howe came into the club with both parties insisting the past was the past and they’d had clear the air talks.

Fraser found himself in and out of the team due to injuries and indifferent form until last season when seemingly out of nowhere, reports emerged that Fraser had been sent to train with the reserves by Howe.

It’s clear that Fraser has no future at Newcastle with Howe desperate to offload the 29-year-old this summer, but now it seems that Fraser took his banishment well and didn’t just sulk and cause problems. In fact, Matt Bondswell has gone as far as to say he will be missed when he moves on.

Speaking to The Chronicle, Bondswell said: “Ryan was really, really good to have in the changing room. He could have come in and just been his own person and do his own thing because he came down from the first-team, but he was great to have around.

“He got involved with all of the lads, he was a really good, experienced player to have in the group. One of the things he did bring to training was those high standards, he’s obviously a quality player but he wanted us to get the best of our ourselves which went a really long way in the academy. If he is to leave, I think we will all miss him in that group.”

Fraser’s time is up at Newcastle and he will be moved on this summer

Fraser linked up brilliantly with Harrison Ashby for the Under 21s in the game against Norwich last season but it’s clear his efforts away from the first-team weren’t enough to convince Howe that things have changed.

No disrespect to Fraser but he’s hardly shown himself to be at the level Eddie Howe requires, so even if he has sorted out his attitude, he doesn’t have the ability to oust the likes of Anthony Gordon from the side.

Finding a buyer for Fraser could be tricky this summer, but given Karl Darlow moved to Leeds for just £400k it looks like Newcastle aren’t afraid to cut their losses to trim the wage bill.