Southampton urged to sign Newcastle United winger as ex-ref questions shock Nottingham Forest decision

Here, we round-up all the latest stories that have emerged surrounding Newcastle United and beyond:

Saints urged to sign Newcastle United winger 

Southampton have been urged to sign Ryan Fraser on a permanent basis this summer, no matter what division they are playing in. Fraser has scored eight times in all competitions for the Saints this season - including the opener during their win over West Brom on Friday night.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem has urged his old club to secure Fraser’s signature this summer:“He is an exceptional football player, quick, and finds his position very good in there, causing problems”

“For him, getting back to the Premier League with Southampton and getting a new life into him would be absolutely fantastic because he has Premier League quality, and when he gets up to his best, it is pretty close. I think he has more to give and I think we need to get him signed for next season, whatever happens.”

Nottingham Forest decision questioned by ex-ref

Dermot Gallagher has questioned Nottingham Forest’s decision to hire former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg as an analyst. Clattenburg watched Forest take on West Ham at the weekend from the directors box.

Speaking on Ref Watch, Gallagher questioned the decision, admitting he doesn’t envisage Clattenburg having a big impact: “I don’t know what he is going to do to be honest. They have obviously got some role for him. 

He continued: “Unless he’s going to talk to them about how they discipline themselves on the field and avoid yellow cards or some technical things. I don’t really see what else he can do.”

Elsewhere on Ref Watch, Gallagher explained why Newcastle United were awarded a penalty against Bournemouth at the weekend, despite huge claims of offside from their opponents: “Is it a shirt pull and should it result in a penalty? Yes. Is he in an offside position? Does he [Schar] impact?

“The feedback I got is he does not impact, the offence has occurred long before the ball has come. He is in an offside position, but he has not committed an offside offence yet, because the ball has not got to him and therefore the penalty was given.”