Andy Cole has told Sky Sports Football (30/09/20 at 6:30 pm) that Ryan Fraser’s ‘not quite looking fit’ for Newcastle United.
The former Premier League striker shared that you cannot question the 26-year-old’s commitment, but he thinks it wasn’t coming off for him during Newcastle’s League Cup scare on Wednesday.
Steve Bruce’s side were taken to penalties by League Two Newport, with Fraser starting the game and Jonjo Shelvey having to score a late goal to take the game to a shootout.
During the game, Cole shared his thoughts on Fraser, who moved to St James’ Park on a free transfer this summer.
“He’s not quite looking fit,” Cole told Sky Sports. “I think he has been off what five or six months? He didn’t play for Bournemouth during the back end of the season.
“I think for him he is trying to get himself back into the moment. Back playing football at this level. He’s trying. I don’t think we can question that.
“At the moment, it’s just not coming off for him.”
Fraser wasn’t at this best for Bournemouth last season and his decision to not play on after football restarted was met with huge criticism.
But two seasons ago, he was a standout star, not just at Dean Court, but in the Premier League and Bruce will be trying his best to bring that form out of the Scotsman.
The likes of Callum Wilson, who played with Fraser at Bournemouth, and Andy Carroll will feed off players such as Fraser, and vice versa, and if they can build a partnership then it will make them a dangerous outfit in the final third.
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