Speaking to the press this morning, Steve Bruce has confirmed that Ryan Fraser will make his debut in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup clash with Blackburn at St James’ Park.
The Newcastle boss also reveals that Ciaran Clark will play, with the gaffer insisting that he’ll make ‘wholesale changes’ and hand chances to those who missed out in Saturday’s 0-2 win over West Ham.
Elsewhere, he also confirms Yoshinori Muto is set to join Eibar on loan in the next 24 hours and that fringe men Christian Atsu, Henri Saivet, Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar are looking to be moved on for some much needed game time.
Starting with some team news ahead of tomorrow’s game, here’s what he’s had to say:
“There were a few tired bodies but everyone reported in yesterday fine, and we’ve got a clean bill of health going into training this morning again.”
“We will make wholesale changes.
“Ryan Fraser will make his debut. Ciaran Clark will play who hasn’t played for a long time and there’s some players who need a game but the squad is big enough to make those changes and let’s hope we can get through to the next round.”
“We’ll take it seriously but the competition this year is condensed by seven weeks so we’ll play more games. I have a squad and I will make changes but when I look at the strength we have I still expect us to try and get through.”
Bruce then confirmed Muto was set for Spain and revealed that Atsu has also been ‘transfer listed’ alongside the likes of Lazaar, Aarons and Henri Saivet:
“I expect Muto to join a club in Spain in the next 24 hours.
“There’ll be one or two who need to go and play.’
“If you’re not going to play or not going to be involved in a 22 then it’s a dark place to be,”
“I like Christian – the same goes for Muto – trains every day, works tirelessly, a good professional – but in a situation where, are they going to play enough? There has to come a time when they go and play football.”
“The same goes for Saivet. Henri has been around the place since I’ve been here. We try to treat him with respect and he trains every day and is a good pro. Saivet, Atsu, Muto, Lazaar, Aarons – they need to find a home and try to progress their careers again.”
Hopefully the guys who missed out over the weekend can take their chance tomorrow and we can sort out moves for several of those fringe men picking up a hefty wage to do little other than train!
After all, outgoings could be key if we’re to bring in a few more signings before next month’s deadline.
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