Rafa Benitez has indicated that Newcastle United’s clutch of returning loan stars will have to move back to the club’s Academy when they return to the club at the start of next month.
With the EFL’s regular season set to finish on May 5, Newcastle would have two games left in which returning loan players could appear before the end of the campaign.
The likes of Jack Colback , Adam Armstrong, Jamie Sterry, Sean Longstaff, and Alex Gilliead are all due back on Tyneside after various loan stints in the EFL.
Young midfielder Dan Barlaser has already returned after finding himself frozen out by Crewe Alexandra.
United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic could also return if the Cottagers avoid the play-offs in the next couple of games.
Colback was dropped by Nottingham Forest for their 3-0 win over Barnsley this week while Adam Armstrong helped Blackburn Rovers to promotion from League One after a victory at Doncaster Rovers.
But while Benitez has hinted at some squad rotation, he admits it will be hard to accommodate the returning loanees - even with the Magpies safe in the top flight.
Benitez told the Chronicle: “Some players will come back.
“I need to have a meeting with Steve Nickson and Ben Dawson about it.
“At the moment we don’t need more bodies because everybody is available.
“We even have a problem when we play 11 vs 11 in training because somebody is left out.
“In terms of competition, it’s difficult for them.
“As I say we have had to leave a couple of players out of training.
“So we can’t bring in more players if we are leaving some out.
“We have to make sure they (the current first team squad) get minutes in training so they compete in the squad to play.”