Ex West Ham man issues five-word update after Newcastle United return - at risk of 2024-25 squad snub
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The 22-year-old was limited to just 16 appearances with Swansea during the 2023-24 campaign due to injury. His last competitive appearance came in January before he returned to action for Newcastle in the post-season friendlies in Australia in May.
The right-back is back training at Newcastle this pre-season with the squad currently at Adidas Headquarters in Germany. Ashby has posted several images of himself at the training camp on social media along with the caption: “Getting the work done @NUFC.” Ashby joined Newcastle from West Ham United in January 2023 for a reported £3million. He has featured in friendly matches for the club, scoring in a 2-1 win at Rangers last summer, but is still waiting to make his competitive debut for the club.
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Hide AdHe will be assessed during pre-season before a decision is made on his future this summer. Ashby is currently behind Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth in the pecking order at right-back.
But with Trippier currently having a break during Euro 2024 and facing an uncertain future on Tyneside as he heads into the final year of his contract, Ashby has an opportunity to put himself in Eddie Howe’s thoughts ahead of the new season.
Ashby’s future at Newcastle is in limbo after an initially encouraging but ultimately frustrating loan spell in the Championship. At 22, he would have to be named in Newcastle’s 25-man squad in order to feature in Premier League matches this coming season.
Newcastle currently have 28 players aged 21 or over meaning three players from the current squad will have to be cut. Ashby one of the players most likely to be cut along with Jamal Lewis, who is also back training with the squad this pre-season following a loan spell at Watford.
As a result, summer departures are likely to be agreed.
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Hide AdAfter returning from Germany, have a behind-closed-doors friendly at Burnley next week before travelling to Hull City on July 27 (2pm kick-off). The Magpies then face Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F. Marinos in Tokyo before ending pre-season with the Sela Weekender against Girona and Brest on August 9 and August 10 respectively at St James’ Park.
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