Eddie Howe explains mysterious absence of Newcastle United man who played 27 times last season

Ryan Fraser hasn’t started a Premier League game for Newcastle United since September.
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Eddie Howe has addressed Ryan Fraser’s recent absence from the Newcastle United matchday squad.

The Magpies have played five games since the season resumed after the World Cup - and Fraser has been named in the 20-man squad just once.

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Indeed, the 28-year-old last featured for United in October - a 1-0 win over Everton at St James’ Park. His last start was a month earlier when former club Bournemouth visited Tyneside.

Asked about Fraser’s situation by NewcastleWorld, Howe said: “Ryan is training and trying to win his place back into the squad.”

Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Newcastle United winger Ryan Fraser. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

The Scotland international is currently in direct competition with Miguel Almiron, who is the club’s top scorer this campaign with nine, Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Jacob Murphy.

Howe added: “He’s training very well. Ryan’s working hard. We have competition for places.

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“We don’t have a deep squad in terms of numbers but I think the quality we have is very high.”

Fraser is understood to be attracting interest from other clubs and has been linked with the likes of Southampton and Brentford.

The winger joined Newcastle as a free agent under Steve Bruce in 2020 but struggled for form until the arrival of former head coach Howe arrived. Fraser made 27 appearances last term and was a regular in the starting XI before Almiron hit top form.

Given his lack of game time this term, Fraser may feel he is best suited to leaving St James’ Park.

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Speaking prior to the Boxing Day win at Leicester City, Howe admitted there could “one or two departures” during the January transfer window.

“Naturally, I think there could be one or two departures but certainly, from my side, I’d love to keep everyone together,” Howe said.

“I wouldn’t want to necessarily lose anyone at this moment in time but you have to understand the player’s perspective as well. That’s something we’ll try to think about at all times.”

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