‘No, he’s not injured’ - Eddie Howe explains mysterious Newcastle United absence

Eddie Howe has addressed Ryan Fraser’s continued absence from the Newcastle United matchday squad.

The Scotland international hasn’t featured competitively for the Magpies since the 1-0 win over Everton in October, and has been named on the bench just once since the World Cup break.

“No, he’s not injured, he’s training,” Howe told reporters ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie at Southampton. “He just has to keep training well and hard.

“He’s a valued member of the squad. I know Ryan better than anybody and what he’s capable of. I’d love to see him back in a Newcastle shirt.”

Fraser has become a peripheral figure on Tyneside this campaign with Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin ahead of the 28-year-old in the pecking order.

Naturally, Fraser is frustrated by the situation and could leave St James’ Park before the January transfer window slams shut having attracted interest from the likes of Brentford and Southampton.

The winger was a regular in the starting XI during the second half of last season, where United battled to retain their Premier League status. However, in 2022-23, Fraser has made just eight appearances, but only three of those have been starts.

In total, Fraser has played 59 times and scored three goals since arriving in 2020 as a free agent from Bournemouth.