Newcastle United are currently looking upwards under Eddie Howe after a revival in 2022, although there are still remnants of the old regime who are cluttering the 44-year-old's squad.

One such figure is that of defender Javier Manquillo, with the Spaniard having become something of a forgotten figure at St James' Park after sliding down the pecking order in recent times.

The 28-year-old is now in his sixth campaign with the Tynesiders, having been signed by compatriot Rafael Benitez from Liverpool in July 2017, just a matter of months after spending a season on loan at bitter rivals Sunderland.

The versatile asset - who can feature on either side of the defence - has since gone on to rack up 104 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies, albeit while netting just once and laying on only seven assists in that time.

That is a rather measly return for any full-back, with his solitary strike having come in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester United last season, briefly spoiling the party on Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford homecoming.

A rare bright moment in a largely underwhelming stint with the Premier League side, the £2.7m-rated defender has achieved 20 top-flight starts in only one season during his time at the club, having largely been restricted to a supporting role.

The appointment of Howe has only further emphasised Manquillo's place on the periphery, as he has featured just 13 times since the former Bournemouth boss arrived last November, recording a mere 683 minutes of action under the incumbent manager.

The former Spain under-21 international has seemingly failed to impress whenever he has been handed a rare chance of late, having notably been criticised for his "awful defending" by journalist Luke Edwards following a 4-0 defeat to Leicester City last season.

Unsurprisingly there have been suggestions that the one-time Atletico Madrid man would be moved on this summer, although he was ultimately spared the axe as deadline day came and went, with a long-term injury to fellow right-back Emil Krafth potentially a factor in the Spaniard staying put.

With Kieran Trippier firmly established as the first choice in that role, however, Manquillo will almost certainly find it difficult for minutes this term, having so far failed to make a single appearance in 2022/23, even including the Carabao Cup triumph over Tranmere Rovers.

Frustratingly for those at Newcastle, the 5 foot 10 dud still has just under two years left to run on his current deal, with the club likely having no choice but to pay his reported £35k-per-week salary for a little while longer at least.

As per FBref, by the end of the current campaign the full-back will have raked in almost £9.1m in wages, a rather hefty amount for a player who has hardly ever been a regular fixture in the team over the past five years or so.

After just over half a decade of 'service' to the club, an exit for the defender is now long overdue.