Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says winger Ryan Fraser is still very much in his plans.

The Scot is being linked with Southampton and Brentford this month.

Fraser, like team-mates Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis and Jacob Murphy, has been told to battle for his place.

Howe insisted Fraser was still around and said this weekend: "He's training very well. Ryan's working hard. We have competition for places.

"We don't have a deep squad in terms of numbers but I think the quality we have is very high."