Eddie Howe says he sent Ryan Fraser to train with Newcastle’s Under-21s because he only wants players ‘committed’ to the club around his senior squad.
Sportsmail revealed last week that the Scotland winger had been told to relocate to the academy base ahead of the Carabao Cup final and is unlikely to return.
And Howe, when asked about the issue on Friday, said: ‘Ryan’s training with the Under-21s. I made the decision to concentrate on players that are committed to Newcastle. For the benefit of the group, I’ve made that call.’
It is rare that Howe makes public his displeasure with any player and the removal of Fraser from the training ground is a sure sign that he will be sold come the summer.