Newcastle are expected to include former West Ham player Harrison Ashby in their matchday squad for the game at St James’ Park this evening.
The 21-year-old left the London Stadium to join the Magpies for £3m on deadline day, and fans on Twitter are now dreading the possibility that the defender could come back to haunt them immediately:
Bros about to score last minute winner against us… watch it.
— Kane (@WHUKane) February 3, 2023
He’s so gonna score
— J 🌈🦄🚴🏽❤️🏴 (@jridgway23) February 2, 2023
Of course he is
— jamie wright ⚒ (@jamiewright1973) February 3, 2023
Callum wilson will get his customary goal against us and you can just see an ashby assist late on for anthony gordons first newcastle goal 😩😩
— Sam 🫧🫧🫧 (@ST1895WHUFC) February 2, 2023
87th minute Ashby winner you hate to see it
— Aidan Lonergan (@LonerganAidan) February 2, 2023
Why wouldn’t he be included. What club would sign a promising player, then be reluctant to play them. Oh, wait a minute…..
— steve felton (@stevefelton17) February 2, 2023
With fullbacks Emil Krafth, Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo all sidelined with injuries at the moment, it seems likely that Ashby will be named on the substitutes bench by manager Eddie Howe.
Whether the defender will come on to make his debut against his former club, though, it is unlikely. Kieran Trippier is ahead of him in the pecking order and the England international usually plays the full 90 minutes.
He captains the side so, unless he picks up an injury, it would be a shock if we saw Ashby get any action tonight.