Malbranque was banished from the Fulham first team by boss Chris Coleman and ordered to join the youth team on their tour of Austria.
The classy midfielder is entering the final year of his contract and Coleman is furious at his refusal to sign a new deal.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says he doesn't rate Malbranque high enough for the club to pay his £40,000 a week wage demands, leaving the way for Newcastle.