Steve Nickson Adjusts to New Role in Club’s Recruitment Structure Amidst Paul Mitchell’s Appointment as Sporting Director at St James’ Park

Since Paul Mitchell’s arrival as sporting director, Steve Nickson has reportedly been feeling frustrated due to a reduction in his responsibilities.

Despite this shift, the head of recruitment is committed to staying with the club.

Sources suggest that Nickson plans to adapt to the new structure and strategy being put in place by Mitchell.

Nickson has been taking steps to become a sporting director himself, and there was talk earlier this year about him stepping into a more prominent role.

Former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi held him in high regard.

At 59, Nickson has played a crucial role in recruitment during the initial years of Saudi ownership.

He was instrumental in bringing players like Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon to St James’ Park.

Known for his dedication and keen eye for talent, Nickson has been involved in scouting and finalizing transfers.

However, recent questions from Mitchell about the effectiveness of the club’s transfer strategy and scouting practices suggest changes are on the horizon.

It’s unclear what Nickson’s future holds within the club’s new setup.

Sven Botman’s Injury Update

The optimism surrounding Sven Botman’s return from knee surgery has diminished, with a new target for his comeback set for December.

The centre-back’s season was cut short last year due to ligament damage, which he played through from September until a decision was made in March to proceed with surgery.

Although his rehabilitation has reportedly gone well, it will be some time before Botman is back in the first-team fold.

James Bunce, the new performance director, will oversee his return-to-play program, especially given the team’s struggles with recurring injuries last season.

Joe Willock’s Injury Status

On a brighter note, Joe Willock is expected to return in the next set of fixtures following the international break.

Willock suffered a minor thigh injury during his first start since April against Nottingham Forest.

The scan revealed a small tear in the muscle, but it’s not a severe issue and should heal in about two weeks.

While he might be doubtful for the trip to Wolves, the club is relieved that the injury isn’t more serious, considering his previous fitness challenges.

Kieran Trippier’s Transfer Update

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

Recent reports suggested that Trippier had agreed to a deal with Eyupspor, but that isn’t the case.

Despite interest from the Turkish Super Lig, Eddie Howe is not prepared to allow any player to leave, especially one as valued as Trippier, without having a suitable replacement.

Squad Leadership Changes

In a shake-up of the squad’s leadership group, Callum Wilson, Dan Burn, and Jacob Murphy have been named vice-captains.

Eddie Howe decided to make Bruno Guimaraes the permanent team captain just before the season began, with Jamaal Lascelles becoming club captain.

Trippier, who had been the interim captain in Lascelles’ absence, remains a vice-captain, alongside Wilson, Burn, and Murphy.

Joe White’s New Contract and Loan Move

Joe White signed a new contract with Newcastle before joining MK Dons on loan last week, extending his commitment to the club until 2027.

Although the exact length of the extension hasn’t been confirmed, it indicates the club’s hope for him to become a valuable first-team player in the future.

White will need to excel in League Two this season, similar to Elliot Anderson’s successful loan spell with Bristol Rovers in 2022.

White has made four substitute appearances for Newcastle, and Eddie Howe is a fan of his abilities.

However, this season is crucial for White, especially after a back issue disrupted his pre-season.

Academy Appointments

The academy has welcomed two notable new additions this week.

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

Meanwhile, academy director Steve Harper is still searching for a new Under-21s boss.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn