Inside Newcastle United: A frustrated head of recruitment, three new vice-captains, mixed injury news and why Kieran Trippier's move to Turkey is OFF, writes CRAIG HOPE

By Craig Hope

Published: | Updated:

Steve Nickson is said to be frustrated by a reduction in his responsibility since the arrival of sporting director Paul Mitchell, but the head of recruitment has no desire to leave the club.

Rather, sources say Nickson will get his head down and work within a new structure and strategy being devised by Mitchell.

We understand Nickson has been taking the necessary courses to become a sporting director himself, and he was being considered for a more prominent position at the club earlier this year. He was very well thought of by former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.


The 59-year-old played a leading role in recruitment during the first two-and-a-half years of Saudi ownership, having been at the club since 2011. He was involved in the deals that brought Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon to St James' Park, flying overseas on scouting missions and to help finalise the transfers. He is admired within the club for his work ethic and eye for a player.

But after Mitchell questioned whether the club's transfer strategy and scouting practices were 'fit for purpose' this week, change is coming in the recruitment department. Nickson has already seen his role diluted and it remains to be seen what the future holds.

He had previously worked with Dan Ashworth as sporting director, but Mitchell will be more recruitment focused in his remit.

Newcastle United's Steve Nickson is said to be frustrated by a reduction in his responsibility

Newcastle United's Steve Nickson is said to be frustrated by a reduction in his responsibility

 

BOTMAN RETURN DELAYED

Hope that Sven Botman would return towards the lower end of the six-to-nine-month timescale following knee surgery in March has faded, with December now pencilled in for his comeback.

The centre-back's season was ruined by the injury last year, when he was far from his best as he played with ligament damage from September onwards.

The decision was taken in March to operate and, while the rehab is said to have gone well, it will be the end of the year at the earliest before the Dutchman is back in contention for the first-team.

New performance director James Bunce will be overseeing return-to-play programmes, after a number of recurring injuries last season.

Sven Botman (right) has not played for Newcastle since featuring against Man City in March

Sven Botman (right) has not played for Newcastle since featuring against Man City in March

 

THIGH OF RELIEF

In better injury news, Joe Willock is set to return during the next set of fixtures after the international break.

We understand that the scan on the thigh problem suffered at Nottingham Forest this month - on his first start since April - revealed a small tear on the surface of the muscle.

However, this is not a major problem and usually takes around two weeks to heal. The midfielder is a doubt for the trip to Wolves a week on Sunday, but Newcastle are relieved that the setback was not more serious, given his fitness issues last year.

Joe Willock is set to return during the next set of fixtures following the international break

Joe Willock is set to return during the next set of fixtures following the international break

 

KT MOVE KO

Kieran Trippier will have to wait until January at the earliest if he is to move on from Newcastle.

There were reports in Turkey last weekend of the defender agreeing a deal with Eyupspor. However, that was not the case.

Interest remains from the Turkish Super Lig, where the transfer deadline is September 13.

But Eddie Howe will not sanction any outgoings - especially one of a player he rates so highly - without the ability to replace them in the squad.

Former Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier, 33, will not be allowed to leave before January

Former Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier, 33, will not be allowed to leave before January

 

VICE SQUAD

As part of the restructuring of the squad's leadership group, we can reveal that Callum Wilson, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy are now considered 'vice-captains' in the dressing-room.

Eddie Howe took the decision to promote Bruno Guimaraes as the permanent team captain on the eve of the season, with Jamaal Lascelles becoming club captain and Kieran Trippier - who had skippered the side in the absence of Lascelles - remaining as a vice-captain.

But Wilson, Burn and Murphy - while behind Trippier when it comes to the pecking order of wearing the armband - have now also been given the title 'vice-captain'.

Callum Wilson is now considered one of Newcastle's 'vice-captains' in their leadership group

Callum Wilson is now considered one of Newcastle's 'vice-captains' in their leadership group 

 

NEW DEAL FOR JOE

Joe White signed a new contract before joining MK Dons on loan last week - and the deal ties him to Newcastle until 2027.

The club did not confirm the length of the extension, but we understand the three years now remaining on his contract is an indication of the hope he can return as a viable first-team member.

The 21-year-old will need to emerge as one of the best players in League Two this season, just as Elliot Anderson did during a loan spell with Bristol Rovers in 2022.

White has made four substitute appearances for Newcastle in the Premier League and Eddie Howe is a fan of the cultured midfielder.

But there is an acceptance that this is a big season for the Cumbrian, whose was robbed of the chance to shine by a back problem during pre-season.

Joe White - who is now on loan at MK Dons - has signed a new Newcastle contract until 2027

Joe White - who is now on loan at MK Dons - has signed a new Newcastle contract until 2027

 

ACADEMY NEW BOY (and old boy)

Two interesting appointments at the academy this week.

Former first-team goalkeeping coach Paul Barron has returned as a 'goalkeeper coach mentor and sessional coach', while former Brighton and Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt has also joined as a 'sessional coach'.

Academy director Steve Harper continues to lead the search for a new Under-21s boss.

 

TOON TEASER

It's Toon Teaser time. Last week's puzzler was… Can you name the NINETEEN players to have appeared for Newcastle and Tottenham since the Premier League began in 1992/93?

The answers were; Kevin Scott, Ruel Fox, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Louis Saha, Garry Brady, Jermaine Jenas, Jonathan Woodgate, Sebastien Bassong, Stephen Carr, Scott Parker, Sol Campbell, Andros Townsend, Wayne Routledge, Danny Rose, Moussa Sissoko, DeAndre Yedlin, Nabil Bentaleb and Kieran Trippier.

This week's question is… Ahead of England's game versus Republic of Ireland, name the FOURTEEN players to have represented Republic of Ireland and played for Newcastle since the Premier League began in 1992-93…

Just to note, the answers will be revealed on Friday on our new NUFC-dedicated WhatsApp channel. It's free and is available HERE.

Newcastle UnitedKieran TrippierEddie Howe