Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser has caused a sir north of the border this week.
The 27-year-old was named in the Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark. However, he later withdrew due to injury.
This is where the problems start.
Eddie Howe took his first training session as Newcastle manager on Tuesday – a session that Fraser was reportedly involved in.
This angered Scotland boss Steve Clarke according to the Daily Mail, although it is claimed Fraser didn’t take part in the full session. Instead he was just testing out the calf that was troubling him.
Now Clarke has commented on the matter.
“The best way to answer that one is to say I have a squad of players who want to be here,” the 58-year-old told the Guardian.
“They’re all here so let’s talk about those boys. The situation with Ryan will resolve itself in time.”
Reading between the not so subtle lines, Clarke appears to be insinuating that Fraser doesn’t want to be there.
It’s a troubling situation for the Newcastle player, especially with a possible appearance at the World Cup coming up next year. Fraser will want to be involved if Scotland qualify, but will skipping this squad come back to haunt him?
He may genuinely be injured, but it does conveniently coincide with Howe’s arrival at St James’ Park. Fraser will be hoping the reunion with Howe can rejuvenate a stalling Newcastle career.
He could become a key player at St James’ Park, but there will be a lot of raised eyebrows north of the border if he’s heavily involved on November 20th against Brentford.
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