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

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

Sources say Nickson will step in and work within a new structure and strategy being devised by Mitchell.

We understand that Nickson has completed the necessary training to become a sporting director himself, and was considered for a more prominent position at the club earlier this year, and was highly regarded 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 abroad on scouting missions and helping to complete transfers. He is admired within the club for his work ethic and eye for a player.

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

Previously working alongside Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Mitchell will focus more on player recruitment in his role.

BOTMAN RETURN DELAYED

The hope that Sven Botman would be back after a knee operation in March, somewhere in six to nine months, has faded. His comeback is now scheduled for December.

The central defender’s season was ruined by injury last year, when he played far from his best and had a ligament injury since September.

Surgery was decided in March and although rehabilitation is said to have gone well, it will not be until the end of this year that the Dutchman returns to first-team competition.

New performance director James Bunce will oversee return to action programs after a number of recurring injuries last season.

THIGH OF SCAM

Better news on the injury front: Joe Willock is expected to return for the next round of games after the international break.

We understand that a scan of the thigh problem he sustained at Nottingham Forest this month – in his first game since April – revealed a small tear in the muscle surface.

However, this is not a major issue and usually takes around two weeks to recover. The midfielder is a doubt for the trip to Wolves next Sunday, but Newcastle are relieved the setback was not more serious given his fitness problems last year.

KT MOVE KO

Kieran Trippier will have to wait until at least January if he wants to leave Newcastle.

Last weekend there were reports in Turkey that the defender would make a deal with Eyupspor. However, that was not the case.

There is still interest from the Turkish Super Lig, where the transfer deadline is September 13.

But Eddie Howe will not condone any deviation – especially not from a player he rates so highly – if he has no option to replace him in the squad.

VICE TEAM

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

Eddie Howe decided to promote Bruno Guimaraes to permanent captain of the team on the eve of the season, while Jamaal Lascelles became captain and Kieran Trippier, who captained the team in Lascelles’ absence, remained as vice-captain.

But Wilson, Burn and Murphy – who were behind Trippier when it came to wearing the captain’s armband – have now also been given the title of ‘vice-captain’.

NEW DEAL FOR YOU

Joe White signed a new contract before joining MK Dons on loan last week, with the deal keeping him at Newcastle until 2027.

The club have not confirmed the length of the extension, but we understand the remaining three years on his contract indicate the hope he can return as a valuable first-team player.

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

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

But it is common knowledge that this is a big season for the Cumbrian player, who was denied the chance to shine during pre-season due to a back injury.

ACADEMY NEW BOY (and old boy)

Two interesting appointments at the academy this week.

Former first-team goalkeeping coach Paul Barron has returned as ‘goalkeeping coach mentor and session coach’, while former Brighton and Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt has also joined as ‘session coach’.

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

SHOW TEASER

It’s time for Toon Teaser. Last week’s puzzle was… Can you name the NINETEEN players who have played 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 match against Ireland, name the TWELVE players who have represented Ireland and played for Newcastle since the Premier League began in 1992-93…

FYI, the answers will be revealed on Friday on our new NUFC dedicated WhatsApp channel. It’s free and available HERE.