Inside Newcastle United: A frustrated head of recruitment, three new vice-captains, mixed injury news and why Kieran Trippier’s move to Turkey is off
Steve Nickson is reportedly frustrated by a reduction in his responsibilities under sporting director Paul Mitchell, but the head of recruitment has no desire to leave the club.
Instead, sources say Nickson will focus on the job and work within a new structure and strategy developed by Mitchell.
We’ve learned that Nickson has taken the necessary courses to become a sporting director himself and was considered for a more senior role at the club earlier this year. He was highly regarded by former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
The 59-year-old has played a major role in the Saudis’ first two-and-a-half years at the club, having been at the club since 2011. He was involved in the deals that brought Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon to St James’ Park, travelling abroad on scouting missions and helping to finalise transfers. He is admired within the club for his work ethic and sense of the game.
But after Mitchell this week questioned whether the club’s transfer strategy and recruitment practices were “fit for purpose”, changes are afoot in the recruitment department. Nickson has already seen his role diminish and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.
He previously worked with Dan Ashworth as sporting director, but Mitchell will focus more on recruiting in his tenure.
Newcastle United’s Steve Nickson reportedly frustrated by reduced responsibilities
BOTMAN’S RETURN IS DELAYED
Hopes of Sven Botman returning within six to nine months following his knee surgery in March have faded, with his return now scheduled for December.
The centre-back’s season was ruined by injury last year, when he was far from his best as he played with ligament damage from September.
The decision to operate was taken in March and, although the rehabilitation has apparently gone well, it will be until the end of the year at the earliest before the Dutchman is back in contention for the first team.
New performance director James Bunce will oversee return-to-play programmes following a number of recurring injuries last season.
Sven Botman (right) has not played for Newcastle since their match against Manchester City in March
RELIEF THIGH
On the injury front, Joe Willock is expected to return in the next round of fixtures after the international break.
We understand that a scan on the thigh problem suffered at Nottingham Forest this month – on his first start since April – revealed a small tear on the surface of the muscle.
It is not a major problem, however, and it usually takes two weeks for the player to recover. The midfielder is a doubt for the trip to Wolverhampton on Sunday, but Newcastle are relieved the setback is not more serious, given his fitness issues last year.
Joe Willock is set to return to action in the next round of matches after the international break
KT MOVE KO
Kieran Trippier will have to wait until January at the earliest if he wants to leave Newcastle.
Last weekend, there were rumours in Turkey that the defender had agreed to sign with Eyupspor. But that was not the case.
Interest remains in the Turkish Super Lig, where the transfer deadline is September 13.
But Eddie Howe will not allow any departure – especially that of a player he likes so much – without having the possibility of replacing him in the team.
Former Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier, 33, will not be allowed to leave until January
DEAD SQUAD
As part of the team’s management group restructuring, we can reveal that Callum Wilson, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy are now considered ‘vice-captains’ in the dressing room.
Eddie Howe made the decision to promote Bruno Guimaraes to permanent team captain on the eve of the season, with Jamaal Lascelles becoming club captain and Kieran Trippier – who had led the team in Lascelles’ absence – remaining as vice-captain.
But Wilson, Burn and Murphy – although behind Trippier in the pecking order of wearing the armband – have now also been given the title of ‘vice-captain’.
Callum Wilson is now considered one of Newcastle’s ‘vice-captains’ in their leadership group
NEW BUSINESS FOR JOE
Joe White has signed a new contract before joining MK Dons on loan last week – and the deal keeps him at Newcastle until 2027.
The club have not confirmed the length of the extension, but we understand the three years remaining on his contract are an indication of hope that he can return as a viable member of the first team.
The 21-year-old will need to emerge as one of League Two’s best players this season, just as Elliot Anderson did during a loan spell with Bristol Rovers in 2022.
White has made four substitute appearances for Newcastle in the Premier League and Eddie Howe is a fan of the cultured midfielder.
But it is accepted that this has been a big season for the Cumbrian, who was denied the chance to shine by a back problem during pre-season.
Joe White, now on loan at MK Dons, has signed a new contract with Newcastle until 2027
NEW BOY ACADEMY (and old boy)
Two interesting meetings at the academy this week.
Former first-team goalkeeping coach Paul Barron has returned as a ‘goalkeeping coach mentor and session coach’, while former Brighton and Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt has also joined the team as a ‘session coach’.
Academy director Steve Harper continues to lead the search for a new Under-21s boss.
CARTOON TEASER
It’s time for the Toon Teaser. Last week’s riddle was… Can you name the NINETEEN players who have played for Newcastle and Tottenham since the Premier League began in 1992/93?
The responses were: Kevin Scott, Ruel Fox, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Louis Saha, Garry Brady, Jermaine Jenas, Jonathan Woodgate, Sebastien Bassong, Stephen Carr, Scott Parker, Sol Campbell, Andros Townsend, Wayne Routledge, Danny Rose, Moussa Sissoko, DeAndre Yedlin, Nabil Bentaleb and Kieran Trippier.
This week’s question is… Ahead of England’s game against the Republic of Ireland, name the FOURTEEN players who have represented the Republic of Ireland and played for Newcastle since the Premier League began in 1992-93…
Please note that the answers will be revealed on Friday on our new WhatsApp channel dedicated to NUFC. It’s free and available HERE.
