Eddie Howe insists he has ‘no issue’ with Scotland international Ryan Fraser but suggested that there is still no way back for him at Newcastle United. Howe banished Fraser to the Under-21s last season and stated he wanted “committed” players on board at United. Fraser was then left out of the United squad for pre-season and told to train away from the group along with Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick and Isaac Hayden. That has left Newcastle with a big issue with players that they inherited and could take some time to clear up. Simply paying the players off would be a costly process and would also hurt Newcastle when it comes to the FFP rule book.
Eddie Howe said: “I think with those players, in particular, it is very difficult for us as a football club because in an ideal world for their careers we’d want them to go and play football and have a good career at another football club. But there’s all sorts of difficulties associated with it, contract length, the amount of money they are earning and it is finding a football club that they want to go to as well.”
But despite the Fraser fallout last season, Howe made it clear there is nothing personal between any of the players. All three won’t get a squad number and face time training away from the senior base until they resolve their futures.
Eddie Howe said: “They are all great lads. I have no issue with any of them and I wish them well, but let’s see what happens.”
