Newcastle Squad Will Be Culled To 18-20 Players "Very Soon", Admits McClaren

By Chris Waugh / August 1, 2015

Steve McClaren admits the "conversation will come about very soon" concerning which Newcastle United fringe players will remain at the club for the upcoming season. The Magpies head coach intends to cull his squad to between just 18 and 20 senior players for the 2015-16 Premier League campaign, and some could leave either permanently or on loan. Fabricio Coloccini's future also remains uncertain. Players including Mehdi Abeid, Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic and Shane Ferguson are among those who could be moved on - although McClaren admits some have done "really well", while others have "disappointed".

McClaren told The Shields Gazette:

"I think the key thing is come in and give everybody a chance, and I think that's what we've done. "Some have done really well and some have disappointed. You're finding out about them. I'm delighted with the work they've put in. "Now, we'll sit down and assess the squad and try and think about 18 or 20 players. That's who'll we'll pick from - they're the ones - and we'll decide on where the others go. "Some will go out on loan, some we'll try to sell. I think that conversation will come about very soon."

Coloccini's future is also still up in the air, with McClaren insisting he cannot make a decision either way about the Magpies captain until he "sees him playing". Yet the Argentine has not played a single minute of any of Newcastle's first six pre-season friendlies to date due to an Achilles problem. McClaren will sit down with his backroom staff in the coming days and decide which players he wants to keep and which he will allow to leave. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.