There is now surely no way back for Scotland international Ryan Fraser at Newcastle United as he was one of three former first-team players left behind as the squad jetted off to the USA.
Three former Newcastle first-team players were left behind in England by Eddie Howe as the rest of the squad jetted off to take part in the Premier League Summer Series.
Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick didn’t make the cut hammering home that their time is definitely up at St James’ Park.
Ryan Fraser clearly doesn’t see eye to eye with Eddie Howe
No that wasn’t a height joke … although if the shoe fits.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton were also left behind but the former is set to move to Al Ahli in the coming days while Joelinton has to sort out a visa issue before he can fly out. Interestingly, Loris Karius‘ name is suspiciously absent from the squad list on NUFC.co.uk despite him being clearly visible in the team photo taken in Atlanta – I’m guessing that was just an oversight and will likely be corrected.
Hendrick and Hayden spent last season out on loan an both knew that their tenure at Newcastle was likely coming to an end, whereas Ryan Fraser remained on Tyneside but was sent to train with the reserves by Eddie Howe with question marks over his attitude and commitment.
The 29-year-old has a history with Eddie Howe from the way he left Bournemouth. Both parties said was behind them when Howe joined Fraser at Newcastle, but it feels like something was still bubbling under the surface and it came to a head midway through last season when Fraser was banished to the reserves.
There now seems to be no way back for the Scotsman and he, along with Hendrick and Hayden will be on the transfer list.
The big question is who is going to come in for any of them? They’re Championship-level players on Premier League wages which makes a move difficult. It’s a shame seeing Hayden relegated to this status as there were definitely signs that he could go on to be a top player, but injuries seem to have stifled that now.
Newcastle could find it hard to move Ryan Fraser on
If there is a way to make the finances work then moving Hendrick and Hayden shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but what club is going to want a 29-year-old with an attitude problem? It’s a big risk for any club, therefore Fraser is going to have his work cut out for him persuading any potential club that he’s committed to the cause.
I doubt Newcastle will recoup much in the way of funds for the trio, but every little helps when it comes to FFP and clearing the wage bill.
Hopefully we see some movement on the trio soon.
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