Steve Bruce has asked Scotland boss Steve Clarke to treat Ryan Fraser with some TLC during the international break.
The Toon winger has played just a handful of games for Newcastle after five-month break during lockdown and no pre-season.
Scotland face a Euro qualifier with Israel and a UEFA Nations League game with Slovakia in the next week or so.
Fraser won a penalty for Newcastle in the 3-1 win over Burnley after coming off the bench.
When asked about Fraser, Bruce said: "Therein lies the problem with Ryan, there's the big conundrum.
"He hasn't played since March and not even trained. It's OK running on treadmills and running round athletic pitches, but physically...
"It was one of those difficult ones.
"Thankfully Ryan keeps himself in really good condition, but I was great to have somebody of his quality to bring off the bench, that's for sure, and straight away he gives you that little bit of a cutting edge."
Now Bruce hopes that Clarke uses him diligently in the next few days.
Bruce added: "It's a difficult one. We're trying to find a balance and what's right and what's wrong.
"Ideally, he would need a pre-season with six weeks of intensive work and five, six friendlies.
"We've had to get them in the cup competitions with him, so I expect him to get better.
"We hope Scotland treat him with the respect that he deserves because he hasn't played a lot, and I'm sure they will."
