By Russell Edge

7th Jan, 2018 | 3:44pm

Newcastle set to hold crucial talks after major claim over senior figure - report

Newcastle United are set to launch an investigation and hold crucial talks after an allegation of bullying was made against under-23 coach and club legend Peter Beardsley, according to a report.
The Guardian claim on their website that the Magpies’ young starlet Yasin Ben El-Mhanni has lodged a complaint over the former Newcastle and England attacker’s behaviour, which is set to see an internal examination over the major claims and talks held to assess the issue.
The allegations come 15 years after Beardsley faced a similar situation, being cleared of any wrongdoing after a Premier League investigation into claims made by two other Newcastle youth players alleging the now-56-year-old of bullying.
Versatile winger El-Mhanni, 22, arrived at St James’ Park on a free transfer back in 2016 after rising to fame as a freestyle footballer who had doubled as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in adverts.
He has made a total of two senior appearances for the Magpies’ senior side since signing, both of which came in last season’s FA Cup campaign, as the club tumbled out at the fourth round with a shock 3-0 defeat to League One side Oxford United.
He has not been among the senior squad this season, and has just five appearances under his belt for the reserve side.
In other Newcastle United news, the club’s top prospect has confirmed he is open to leaving the club.
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