Eddie Howe says that Ryan Fraser was sent to train with the club's Under-21s for the benefit of the Newcastle United first-team squad.
Fraser has played just 311 minutes of action for the Magpies this season under Howe. Last season the Scotland international was one of the star men as the club pulled away from relegation trouble.
Despite, Fraser leaving Bournemouth in a controversial manner - after refusing to sign an eight-game extension to his expiring deal - Howe and the winger have always insisted there were no issues between them.
READ MORE: Everything Eddie Howe said at Newcastle United press conference
When asked about Fraser's omission from first-team action, with no appearances since October, Howe said at his Press conference: "I made the decision to concentrate on the players that are committed to Newcastle and for the benefit of the group I made that call."
Howe was also asked if Fraser can fight his way back to the senior squad. But said: "I think it's a difficult one for me to answer. "Because I've never put a firm decision on that because life can change quickly. "At the moment he doesn't."
Fraser still has two years left of his current deal at Newcastle but could not secure a move in January despite talk he'd been transfer listed by the club's owners PIF.
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