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Achraf Lazaar could get the chance to say farewell to the St James’ Park crowd in tonight’s League Cup clash against Nottingham Forest.

The Morocco international has been recalled to the squad by Rafa Benitez but could be close to leaving Tyneside after just a year following a weekend of talks with a clutch of Italian clubs.

Scouts from Genoa are expected to arrive in the UK to check out Lazaar’s fitness while Serie A sides Bologna and Atalanta are also interested in buying the former Palermo star.

Lazaar , who still owns a house in Italy, spent the weekend in Milan as he discussed his future with several clubs.

However, he will get the chance of playing at St James’ Park after being named in the Toon squad to face Forest.

(Image: Newcastle United)

Before the game Rafa Benitez had said: “We have players who we know will leave, but they are still around. That is not easy.”

Lazaar isn’t the only player who has come into first-team contention in the last 24 hours after being recalled by Benitez.

Jack Colback has also been training with the Magpies and could be in the squad for the second-round tie at St James’.

But the midfielder has been offered to Hull City again this week with United looking for the Tigers to pay a percentage of his wages in a possible loan deal.