£60k flop lands first move since summer clear-out and ex-Mag suffers heart scare

A former Mag who was released last summer has finally found a new club after a difficult time on Tyneside.

Culling the squad that Eddie Howe inheritedhas not been a straight forward job over the past three and a half years, with Jamal Lewis and Isaac Hayden examples of two still on our books after multiple loans.

Five contracts were allowed to run out last summer with Ritchie (Portsmouth) and Kell Watts (Cambridge) both relocated last summer, while Loris Karius (Schalke) and Paul Dummett (Carlisle United) completed moves in January.

Another of those released Mags has now completed a mid-season move, with Steve Bruce signing Jeff Hendrick returning to his former club on a free transfer.

Hendrick joins relegation scrap 

Jeff Hendrick has returned to his first professional club Derby County in a bid to help the Rams avoid relegation to League One.

The 33-year-old has been without a club since being released from Newcastle last summer, but has now put pen to paper on a contract with John Eustace’s side who currently sit four points from safety in the Championship relegation zone.

Newcastle reportedly beat AC Milan to the signature of Hendrick when he arrived on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, following the expiration of his contract at Burnley.

He went on to make just 25 appearances over four years on Tyneside and in that time earned a reported £60,000-per-week. A poor signing and expensive free agent, in the end!

Mitrovic suffers heart scare

Former Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been ordered to rest after missing Al-Hilal training due to an abnormal heart rhythm.

The 30-year-old recently returned from a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of action since January, with Saudi media now reporting that Mitro was taken to hospital after scoring for the Pro League side against Al-Fayha on Friday.

A club statement read: "The medical staff has decided to rest Aleksandar Mitrovic from Sunday's training, due to feeling fatigue and arrhythmias. He will be observed by specialists, as his case will be monitored constantly."

Everyone at NUFCBlog wishes Aleksandar all the best.