Steve McClaren reveals why unsettled Florian Thauvin was left out of his Newcastle squad

The Newcastle United winger is eyeing a move back to Olympique Marseille just five months after arriving at St James’s Park.

But the relegation-threatened club has not decided yet whether it is prepared to loan Thauvin, signed for £12million last August, back to the French club.

The 22-year-old was booed on his last appearance for Newcastle against Watford nine days ago.

There was also a chant of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” after the France Under-21 international went down after losing possession in the club’s FA Cup defeat at Vicarage Road.

Thauvin missed last week’s home game against Manchester United with an injury suffered against Watford.

Head coach McClaren said Thauvin would be in the squad for Saturday’s match against West Ham in his pre-match Press conference.

However, Thauvin was not even named among the substitutes at St James’s Park by McClaren, who welcomed back Emmanuel Riviere and Rolando Aarons from injury.

Asked about Thauvin’s omission, McClaren said: “He had a little ankle injury.

“He trained a bit (on Friday), but felt it.

“There was no point risking him, and it was good to get Rolando and Manu (Riviere) back involved.”

Any loan back to the Stade Velodrome would hinge on the financial contribution the Ligue 1 club would be prepared to make towards Thauvin’s wages.