Ryan Fraser could be frozen out at Newcastle United after confirmed news – pundit
Ryan Fraser’s “brilliant” Newcastle performances have taken the pressure off Eddie Howe’s side amid the injury absence of Allan Saint-Maximin.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hailed the 28-year-old for putting the Magpies’ form “on his shoulders” in recent weeks.
With Saint-Maximin benched, left-winger Fraser registered a goal and an assist in the slender 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday (5 March).
However, as quoted post-match by Newcastle World, Howe revealed the winger is nursing a “little” injury – but was “hopeful” of his fitness for Thursday’s (10 March) trip to Southampton.
Fraser is playing under Howe once again after a five-year spell together at Bournemouth.
Whelan fears the winger could lose his place in the side if he’s sidelined, even if it’s for a short spell.
“Fraser has been reunited with the manager who brought him to Bournemouth, which has been massive for him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’ve rekindled that respect, that trust, and that understanding now at Newcastle. Howe has been able to squeeze that extra 10% out of him because he knows what makes him tick.
“The goals and assists he has come up with have really just taken the pressure off Newcastle.
“There were a lot of people who thought they were really going to struggle. Especially with players like Saint-Maximin, Kieran Trippier, and Callum Wilson out.
“He’s taken that burden almost on his own shoulders – and wow, he’s looking really dangerous right now.
“He’s been brilliant and given everything he’s got. The bad thing is that it could’ve cost him his place in the side with this injury worry.”
In other news, pundit predicts Howe is “laying the groundwork” for “huge” summer splurge.