NEWCASTLE NOTEBOOK: Players ‘furious’ over plans for a post-season trip to Australia for friendlies, Dan Ashworth set to force Man United move…while Matt Ritchie won’t be club’s next bus driver!

If the FA do introduce new rules banning far-flung end-of-season friendlies on the grounds of player welfare, it will be welcomed by sections of Newcastle’s dressing-room.

Notebook understands several of the squad are not happy about the prospect of the post-season trip to Australia. One source described some players as ‘furious’.

We have been told the club will receive around £3million for the tour, in which they will play friendlies against Tottenham and an A-League All-Stars XI in Melbourne. There will be long-term commercial benefits, too.

However, that has not appeased some, who believe it is unnecessary on the back of a long season ravaged by injuries. Those who will be playing for their countries this summer would have ordinarily used the week immediately after the season to go on holiday.

Eddie Howe has already expressed his concern, but he is also mindful of the need to maximise revenue to push back on PSR restrictions. He gave a diplomatic answer when asked about the subject again on Friday.

Eddie Howe also has concerns over the trip but is aware of club looking to maximise revenue 

The club would play Tottenham and A-League All-Stars XI during their visit to Melbourne 

Meanwhile, discussions have long since been taking place internally over the best plan for pre-season. Again, not everyone is on the same page. Some on the playing side believe last summer’s Stateside tour did not leave them in the best shape ahead of the new season, given the heat, travel and intensity of the matches against Premier League opponents.

But now, as revealed by Notebook last week, a summer tour of Japan is in the offing. Two friendlies against Yokohama F Marinos and Urawa Red Diamonds during a week-long stay have been mooted. The latter would be in the Saitama Stadium, north of Tokyo, on July 31.

We understand a training camp in Germany has also been explored and is not yet off the table.

Newcastle wait for reasonable offer 

Dan Ashworth is set to take Newcastle to arbitration as he attempts to force through his proposed move to Manchester United.

However, we understand the Magpies have not demanded some of the figures being quoted – ranging from £15m to £20m – to release the sporting director from a period of gardening leave that runs until the end of 2025. Rather, they are waiting for Man United to make a reasonable offer, which so far has not gone far beyond £2m.

Newcastle’s search for Ashworth’s replacement, meanwhile, is gathering pace. As reported by Mail Sport on Thursday, Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman is one of those in the frame. It is thought he has the support of some key figures inside St James’ Park.

Dan Ashworth will try and force through his move to Man United by taking club to arbitration 

Gillespie gets extension 

Mark Gillespie will be staying at Newcastle for at least one more year, Notebook can reveal.

The club have now activated the option to extend his contract by 12 months, which could be an indicator that fellow goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is on his way this summer.

Loris Karius is set to leave and the Magpies are looking to sign one other keeper to compete with Nick Pope. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is on the shortlist, among others.

Goalkeeper Mark Gillespie will be staying at Newcastle for at least one more year

Gillespie, 32, has not played during the last two seasons – he made three League Cup appearances in 2020/21 – but he is well liked in the dressing-room and by backroom staff.

Dubravka, 35, will have one year on his contract come June and he could look for a new club.

Coach steps up 

Sticking with goalkeepers, we reported a few weeks back how coach Shwan Jalal had suffered a serious knee injury and would return in pre-season.

In his absence, head of goalkeeping Adam Bartlett has been joined by Tony Caig, who once performed a similar role to Gillespie as the club’s back-up keeper behind Shay Given and Steve Harper.

Caig, 50, has stepped up from his role as head of goalkeeping at the academy.

Horse play for Matt 

Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie passed his test to drive Large Goods Vehicles this week.

Some on social media have speculated that the 34-year-old is about to take the wheel of the team bus next season, given his contract expires this summer.

However, Ritchie’s reason for taking the test is thought to be connected to his family’s horses and the need to drive their transportation boxes.

Matt Ritchie passed his test to drive Large Goods Vehicles but he’s not riding away just yet 

Toon teaser…

It’s Toon Teaser time… last week we asked you to name the six players who had appeared for Newcastle over two spells in the Premier League. The answers were; Tommy Wright, Pavel Srnicek, Robbie Elliott, Lee Clark, Nobby Solano and Andy Carroll.

This week’s teaser is incredibly hard… ahead of Saturday’s game versus Sheffield United, name the EIGHT players who have played for Newcastle in the Premier League and also appeared for the Blades (in any division).

The answers will be revealed on Saturday morning on our new NUFC-dedicated WhatsApp channel. It’s free and is available HERE.