Steve Bruce has dropped an injury blow for Newcastle United ahead of their game at home to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against David Moyes' team, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss confirmed: "Ryan's not fit. He's got a groin problem that he picked up when he was with Scotland. It's been frustrating for him and we've never really got him up to speed. It's been stop start and we've not seen the best of him with the problems he's had."
Newcastle will miss Fraser
The North East club will certainly miss Fraser when they take on the Hammers, who are chasing a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the 2021/22 term, at St. James' Park.
The pace and directness that the former AFC Bournemouth ace possessed could have caused the East London club a lot of trouble down the wing, and with his former Cherries teammate Callum Wilson back from injury, he would have been able to feed off of Fraser's supply.
The Scotland international has averaged more key passes per game (1.4) than any of his teammates in the top flight so far in the 2020/21 season (Whoscored).
With Allan Saint-Maximin back as well along with Miguel Almiron, the link-up play with Fraser could have caused the Irons lots of problems, especially on the counter attack.
Nonetheless, the Tyneside club will have to try and find a way to get something out of the match without the 27-year-old.