Cheick Tiote will not take part in Newcastle United's pre-season tour of the United States, due to VISA problems.
Tiote has been linked with a move away from St. James' Park, but manager Steve McClaren said the Ivory Coast midfielder's absence from the Magpies' pre-season trip was not a sign of an impending transfer.
"He has had visa complications" McClaren said.
"And trying to get him over the visa issue has been difficult but it wasn't successful.
"He is training back home."