Newcastle United's Scottish midfielder Ryan Fraser (C) celebrates with Newcastle United's New Zealand striker Chris Wood (L) and Newcastle United's English midfielder Joe Willock (R) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 8, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United have a problem to solve with Ryan Fraser due to the player’s injury history says former West Ham and Celtic player Frank McAvennie, who also called the player a terrible professional.
The former striker was speaking to Football Insider about the Newcastle man and also commented on the time the 28-year-old refused to play for Bournemouth and lied to Scotland about his fitness.
The 62-year-old pundit said: “There was a fury when he left Bournemouth because he refused to play. Then you have the issues with Scotland when he lied about his injury but trained for Newcastle. You can’t be doing that, that’s terrible as a professional.”
Fraser refused to play for Bournemouth during a crucial time
The incident McAvennie is talking about is when Fraser refused to play for the Cherries in their fight for survival by not signing a short-term contract during the pandemic so he could avoid injury ahead of a summer move.
As for Scotland, Fraser pulled out of international duty after citing an injury but reported to Newcastle training days later.
Fraser is now back under the management of Eddie Howe and is enjoying a better spell during his second season at the club compared to his first.
Incidents like these will always be remembered by the football community but they should be left in the past, as Fraser tries to move on with his career.
