Ryan Fraser has praised the U21s staff at Newcastle for helping him get through a tough summer

Ryan Fraser finally left Newcastle United at the end of the summer transfer window as he headed back to Southampton after helping the Saints gain promotion to the Premier League while on loan last season.

It was a transfer that looked practically nailed on before the summer window opened but it took until the final days to get the deal done.

Now, as Ryan Fraser has spoken to the Daily Echo, it seems as though Fraser and Southampton were fully aware that the move would likely transpire late in the window.

It looks like Newcastle and Fraser arranged a mutual contract termination to allow him to move to Southampton for free. Something that was no-doubt green lit by Eddie Howe without hesitation after he banished Fraser to the reserves.

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Fraser knew his move back to Southampton would come late in the summer window

Fraser and Howe had a falling out which resulted in the Scotland international being forced to train with the stiffs during Newcastle's top-four season, so it was clear that the Wee Man had no future at the club.

However, as hard as it was for Fraser to return to Newcastle after loving life at Southampton, 30-year-old was complimentary of the Newcastle U21s staff.

"The first day going back up there was tough. No disrespect to Newcastle but I knew that I was going to be training by myself.

"I've got to say, the under-21s coaches I worked with up there looked after me. We worked hard together and tried to get the best out of the situation.

"From speaking to Russell all the time and speaking to the club, it was always going to be a last-minute thing.

"It was tough but I'm glad to get it done. There are a lot of worse things in this world that people deal with. My situation is nothing compared to that."

Ryan Fraser and Dan Burn's little and large double act was fun

We'd love to know what actually went on to re-ignite the rift between Howe and Fraser but I guess we'll have to wait for one of them to release an autobiography.

One thing's for sure, there won't be too many Newcastle fans losing sleep over Fraser's departure.

We had all started to fall in love with him a bit when he'd walk out on the pitch alongside Dan Burn, but being part of a comedy act will only buy you so much goodwill, but not giving your all in training isn't going to fly with Mr Howe and that's what Howe hinted at after he sent Fraser to the reserves.