Newcastle United trio set for Eddie Howe snub as players report back for pre-season

The majority of Newcastle United’s first-team squad have reported back for pre-season training - but up to three players are expected to train separately.

All senior players, excluding those who were on international duty last month, returned to the club’s training base on Sunday and were immediately put through their paces.

However, three players who weren’t involved in the main group were Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick, who have been told to find new clubs this summer.

Fraser last played for Newcastle last October after falling out with Magpies head coach Eddie Howe earlier this year.

Since then, the Scotland international has trained with the under-21s and is attracting interest from Championship duo Southampton and Leeds United.

Meanwhile, both Hayden and Hendrick spent last season on loan at Norwich City and Reading, respectively, after Howe told the players neither featured in his plans.

Howe was asked about the midfielders in the final week of last season and confirmed there has been no change to his thinking.

“I think I had those conversations with those players last year, where they trained separately from the group,” Howe explained.

“That was only so I could control the numbers that I was working with and maintain the focus of the players that were going to be part of our season.

“I don’t anticipate that changing, to be honest. Those lads have done very well, and they’ve been great lads and servants to the football club over many seasons.

“We certainly respect them, but sometimes you have to make a clear break and focus on the players that are going to be part of our season next year.”

Offloading those aforementioned players is no easy task, however, with Fraser having two years remaining on his contract, Hayden three and Hendrick one.

Indeed, their weekly wage exceeds the average Championship wage.

Ideally, Newcastle want each player off the wage bill but may be forced to pay a percentage of their wage, as they did with Hayden, Hendrick, Dwight Gayle and Ciaran Clark last season.