‘No disrespect’ - Newcastle United outcast brutally honest on ‘tough’ exit after Eddie Howe bust-up

Ryan Fraser has admitted training by himself was “tough” during his final days at Newcastle United.

The Magpies finally moved the winger on during the final days of the transfer window. A bust-up with Eddie Howe brought memories back to the duo’s time at Bournemouth when  Fraser downed tools amid a contract dispute in 2019-20.

Ironically, that feud led to him joining Newcastle on a free transfer but injuries hampered his four years on Tyneside. Last season saw the 30-year-old loaned out to Southampton - where he helped them up Premier League promotion via the play-offs.

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The Saints negotiated to sign Fraser all summer and got the deal over the line on deadline day. Speaking to the Daily Echo, the former Scotland international opened up about his Toon departure.

"The first day going back up there was tough,” Fraser said. “No disrespect to Newcastle but I knew that I was going to be training by myself. I've got to say, the under-21s coaches I worked with up there looked after me. 

“We worked hard together and tried to get the best out of the situation. From speaking to Russell all the time and speaking to the club, it was always going to be a last-minute thing. 

“It was tough but I'm glad to get it done. There are a lot of worse things in this world that people deal with. My situation is nothing compared to that. There were times when I was probably thinking too much about it. 

“I would go back to the hotel and think 'Is this going to happen?' But to be honest with you, the club wanted me. I just knew, because it was going to be on a free as well, that it would more than likely get done at a later stage."