According to the Chronicle, Eddie Howe has ordered Matty Longstaff, Jeff Hendrick, Dwight Gayle and Ciaran Clark to the Newcastle reserves.
What’s the story?
Well, the 44-year-old has been tasked with trimming his bloated squad, and he has no room for the aforementioned quartet.
The Chronicle mention that Longstaff in particular was keen to impress Howe during pre-season, although he won’t even be given that opportunity after the decision was made.
It is also said that the 22-year-old could drop down into the English Football League, with a number of clubs outside of the Premier League interested.
Surprisingly, the Chronicle add that Jamal Lewis will be included in pre-season, despite the fact he made just five appearances in the Premier League last season.
Howe remains a fan of the left-back, who Newcastle paid £15m for back in August 2021.
In fairness, given the size of the investment in that specific scenario, you can see why the Magpies are keen to give Lewis every chance of achieving success at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe rightly being ruthless at Newcastle
Some may argue that Howe has been harsh on the likes of Hendrick – who earns £40,385-a-week – Longstaff, Clark and Gayle here, although we beg to differ.
Due to a scattergun approach in the market under Steve Bruce, Newcastle have been left with a number of players who simply aren’t good enough, in what has become an overpopulated squad.
If Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are to transform the Magpies into a Champions League side, they need space in the squad for their big-money arrivals, hence why Howe has begun the process of streamlining his team.
On a human level, we feel for the banished quartet, but football is a ruthless industry, after all.
Be sure to keep an eye on the situation, as some could soon be sold – Gayle, in particular, is wanted by Watford.
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