Eddie Howe has made his mind up on a clutch of senior players at Newcastle United ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The former AFC Bournemouth boss knew he would have to trim his squad in pre-season with 34 players checking back in for the new campaign. And it has taken less than a week for him to make some big calls at Benton.
However, Howe may have to make more decisions on some of United's roster as sporting director Dan Ashworth closes in on new faces. Here's a look at the players Howe has already told they have no future at Newcastle and five others that could follow them before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
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Ciaran Clark
The former Aston Villa centre-back was one of the first to be told he would be training with the club's Under-21 team at the Academy until a suitable club can be found for him. His omission is no big surprise given he was left out of Howe's Premier League squad. Clark has a year left on his deal so the club could ask for a fee for his services. Has already been linked with Sheffield United this summer.
Dwight Gayle
The long serving striker is another training at the Academy until a club is found. Whoever signs him will have to better the deal he is on at Newcastle. Gayle could feasibly still run his contract down for another two years although there is strong interest from Middlesbrough for the ex-Crystal Palace centre-forward. He has yet to start a game under Eddie Howe.
Jeff Hendrick
A loan move to Queens Park Rangers did not materialise into a permanent deal last season and finds himself back on Tyneside. The midfielder was not chosen by Howe in the Premier League squad last January so it's hardly a revelation that he finds himself training at Little Benton. The midfielder joined the club on a free transfer from Burnley but has two years remaining on his current deal. Newcastle are looking for a fee for his services.
Isaac Hayden
The decision was made to move Hayden on to Norwich last month with his loan deal likely to become permanent. Norwich have an obligation to buy Hayden if certain milestones are met on appearances. The former Arsenal player has three years on his contract but appears to have said goodbye to the club and the supporters. Hayden was another who was left out by Howe in January.
Freddie Woodman
The goalkeeper was sold to Preston North End after accepting his time was over at Newcastle. The former England youth international was down the pecking order and he will now rebuild his career in Lancashire.
And who could follow...
Javier Manquillo
The Spanish full-back is not going to get in the team ahead of Kieran Trippier if he's fully fit so has a decision to make. Does he accept, at 28, providing a back-up option or does he look for a new club in La Liga or elsewhere in the Premier League.
Manquillo is certainly one to write off at your peril given many thought he would be finished after Rafa Benitez's 2019 departure. But he hit back and played regularly under Steve Bruce and did well. He was only used 15 times last season but was useful when he played. Decision time approaching for the ex-Atletico Madrid man.
Federico Fernandez
Was notably not told to train with the kids this week despite barely featuring last season. Survived a strange situation at the club last season when caretaker manager Graeme Jones said he would no longer be asked to sit on the bench before sitting in the bench for Howe eight further times. He had thigh injuries last season and at 33 could be staying around as the elder statesman. Newcastle though have been linked with right-footed defender Gerzino Nyamsi of Strasbourg in recent weeks and you'd think that the arrival of another centre-back would see Fernandez move on.
Emil Krafth
The Sweden international has checked back in for pre-season training but like Manquillo faces an uphill battle to get past Trippier. The former Bologna defender has always been happy to fight for his place, however, this is perhaps his toughest battle yet. Krafth did well when he filled in for Trippier last season during the England defender's foot injury but is facing a season on the bench if he stays.
Miguel Almiron
This is an interesting one for Eddie Howe with the popular playmaker an excellent performer on his day. He is not guaranteed a starting place and with Moussa Diaby and Anthony Gordon on the club's radar it's difficult to see where Howe fits him in. The Paraguay skipper did not feature much under Howe in his early days but showed what he could do with a thunderous goal of the month against Crystal Palace. A situation to keep an eye on with his agent already touting him for a summer move.
Martin Dubravka
A big, big call lies ahead for the cool, calm and collected Slovakia stopper. Nothing seems to unfaze the big man but the noises from his agent seem to suggest that he won't stay if he's not number 1 while the window is open. Nick Pope has come in to beef up competition and you'd imagine he hasn't turned down other rivals if first-team football wasn't offered by Howe. For all that, Dubravka is still a brilliant goalie and any potential exit would leave a gaping void in the squad.
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