"Why not give him a chance in the first team", were the reports in the local newspapers, but Alan Pardew refused to take the bait.
It takes a lot more than that to force your way into Pardew's thinking, especially for a player who has been nothing but trouble since he signed for the club.
Talking of which ... the kid with 666 tattooed on his head ... Nile Ranger, is back up and running at Newcastle United – but the striker won’t be involved against Maritimo tonight.
The 21-year-old netted a goal in Monday night’s reserve derby against Sunderland. Not a bad thing, may I add, but not enough to patch up his differences with the Toon boss.
It was Ranger’s first appearance for the club, at any level, since March.
Alan Pardew: “He’s fit for the first time.
"He’s been on time, and he’s beginning to hopefully put himself in order and be a professional footballer.
“At the moment, it’s good news on Nile, and let’s hope he stays like that.
“He’s got a lot of making up to do with me and the group."
Ranger hasn’t made a Premier League appearance for the club since May last year.