The reason why Harrison Ashby wasn’t named in Newcastle United squad v West Ham

Eddie Howe has discussed Harrison Ashby’s move to Newcastle United from West Ham.
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Eddie Howe has revealed why Harrison Ashby did not feature in Newcastle United’s squad versus West Ham United last Saturday.

The 21-year-old completed his £3million move from the Hammers on deadline day and was presented to the St James’ Park crowd alongside Anthony Gordon prior to the Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Southampton.

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Four days later, Gordon was named on the bench for the visit of David Moyes’ side and made his debut as a 70th-minute substitute. Ashby, however, was missing from the 20-man matchday squad altogether.

Newcastle United right-back Harrison Ashby. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Newcastle United right-back Harrison Ashby. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United right-back Harrison Ashby. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Howe, speaking ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bournemouth, indicated that United will look to build up Ashby’s fitness before considering him for first-team action. Indeed, the Scotland youth international has played just two senior games this term - both in the Europa Conference League.

The United head coach said: “Harrison has come to us in a good place, again he’s trained really well and he’s one we’ll work with behind the scenes.

“He needs to improve certain things in terms of his fitness because I don’t think he’s played a huge amount of football in the last few months but we certainly like him a lot.”

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Howe had hinted previously that Ashby is very much one for the future, with the Milton Keynes-born defender set to be Kieran Trippier’s understudy.

“Well he’s definitely one for the future,” Howe said last month. “He’s a talented young player, we feel he’s got, as all young players have, areas to improve but I think he’s got good character and really good physical and technical attributes.

“It’s an area we were light on in numbers and bringing Harrison in we feel it’s good value in the market. It was a good deal all round for us.”

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