Newcastle United 'make decision' on contract of player who has barely featured this season

Newcastle United are said to be set to extend the stay of a player who has not played all that often for the club. The Magpies, like most clubs, have some contract decisions heading their way ahead of this summer and next.

One of the players out of contract is defender Emil Krafth, who has been with the club since 2019, joining from Amiens on a cost-friendly deal. The 29-year-old has racked up 59 league appearances since, but he has struggled for game time behind Kieran Trippier.

This season, he has made only five Premier League appearances, largely playing back-up to Trippier. But fresh reports claim the Sweden international will not be moving on just yet despite his contract expiring this summer. Fotboll Direkt say Newcastle have already decided to activate the one-year extension trigger in Krafth's contract.

They, of course, could still sell the right-back this summer, but they will protect themselves from losing him for free by using the option. Krafth has had some injury issues this season, but Howe has been firm in his praise of him. Speaking after the defender's return from injury towards the end of last year, he said: "Very good [to have him back]. He’s had a really good period of work. He has worked incredibly hard with the physios, sports science team. He has done everything we have asked of him.

"I think he’s in a good place. He has had developments games just to get those finishes touches to his sharpness. I think he looks really good. At the moment he’s in a good place and really good to have him back with us.”