New footage from NUFC training ground – 19 players spotted, but 12 absent for start of pre-season?

Pre-season is officially underway at Newcastle United, with 19 players spotted returning to the club’s Benton base on Tuesday morning.

These include the likes of Callum Wilson, a host of returning loanees, a few youngsters and club captain Jamaal Lascelles, however we’ve counted a total of 12 absentees.

Based on the photos released of the players arriving on Tuesday morning and the club’s video – which you can watch below – of the first day back, the following players are back on Tyneside for the start of pre-season training:

Jamal Lewis, Jacob Murphy, Freddie Woodman, Isaac Hayden, Javier Manquillo, Dwight Gayle, Florian Lejuene, Jamaal Lascelles, Elliot Anderson, Yoshinori Muto, Matt Ritchie, Kelland Watts, Jeff Hendrick, Karl Darlow, Joelinton, Mark Gillespie, Callum Wilson, Dan Langley and Paul Dummett.

Fabian Schar, Miguel Almiron, Ryan Fraser, Emil Krafth and Martin Dubravka are all expected absentees, having been handed an extended break after a summer of international football, but there are SEVEN unexplained cases who appear to have missed the first day back.

This includes Allan Saint-Maximin, Jonjo Shelvey, Ciaran Clark, Sean Longstaff, Matty Longstaff, Andy Carroll and Federico Fernandez – player nowhere to be seen in any of the footage released by the club on Tuesday.

ASM appears to remain on holiday – where he’s been spotted following his own fitness plan – however it is perhaps telling that Fernandez and Carroll aren’t back, being two players who were due to see their contracts expire this summer.

It may well be a coincidence, but we are left to speculate and wonder what if when the club are yet to release the official retained list ahead of the 2021/22 season!

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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