Harrison Ashby's Queen Park Rangers stint is nearing its end but a recent, frustrated, outburst won't derail the end of his spell in the Championship, according to manager Marti Cifuentes.
The full-back was substituted during QPR's 2-1 defeat to Swansea City on Easter Monday, being withdrawn in the 53rd minute after an early yellow card. As Ashby headed off the pitch, visibly frustrated, he stormed beyond Cifuentes on the touchline in a reported 'strop'.
However, swiftly after the game, the QPR played down any rift between the pair, saying: “I love Ash's personality. He's so straight and honest, he wanted to play, he's playing at high level the last games, which I'm very happy about him because I think there is a big potential on him as a player."
Ashby has made 27 Championship appearances this term but has only started five games since the turn of the year. In recent weeks, in a similar move to Newcastle's own Tino Livramento, the right-back has been playing on the opposite side of the pitch.
“He's playing actually very good on the left side, which we know that naturally he's more right full back than a left one, but he did really well," Cifuentes continued.
Ashby will return to Tyneside in the summer with his Newcastle future up in the air. The defender, signed in 2023 from West Ham United, is yet to feature competitively for the Magpies after making only two matchday squads.
With 18-year-old Leo Shahar making waves behind the scenes at Newcastle, Ashby's long-term spot in the United squad could be at risked. The defender will get the chance to impress during pre-season before a decision is made on another potential exit.
