What Federico Fernandez did at Newcastle United this week was 'incredible'

Federico Fernandez this week hosted an Argentinian barbecue at Newcastle United’s training ground to celebrate his 31st birthday on Tuesday. The defender’s team-mates enjoyed steaks after training.

“The South Americans, it’s meat for birthday,” said head coach Steve Bruce, whose side play Burnley at St James’s Park tomorrow. “It was snow everywhere on the Monday, it was still cold. We had that much steak going on Monday and Tuesday, it was incredible.

“There’s a unique spirit amongst them. The core of them have been here a good few years. They understand the club, Haydens, Ritchies, Lascelles, Dummett, they’ve been the heartbeat of the club really.”

Fernandez’s Argentinian countryman Fabricio Coloccini threw a party at his home for his team-mates in May 2013 after the club secured its Premier League status. Coloccini left the club in the summer of 2016.