Federico Fernandez has endured a torrid time since leaving St. James' Park in the summer to join La Liga side Elche. The basement side in Spain's top division have picked up just four points and are without a win so far this season.
The Argentinian defender has played just once for his new side this season, with injury problems continuing to blight his campaign. Those injury woes were part of the reason Fernandez failed to start a match under Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe when he took charge of the club midway through last season.
Reports earlier this year suggested Elche were planning to negotiate an early exit from the 33-year-old's contract, with fellow Argentine Javier Pastore also set to leave the club. Although there has been no official announcement from the club in reference to the duo's contracts, Elche head coach Pablo Machin addressed the situation at a press conference.
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He gave a simple nine word response: "You know there have been a couple of casualties." It's understood the pair are now free to find new clubs for the second part of the campaign as the club looks to avoid the drop this season.
Fernandez was highly thought of during his time on Tyneside, one dubbed the best defender on Tyneside by a section of the Toon Army faithful. He made 89 appearances in a black and white shirt before calling time on his Newcastle career in the summer.
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