Sean Longstaff won’t feature in the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Isaac Hayden is ‘poised’ to make his return to Newcastle United’s starting XI, according to the Chronicle, with Steve Bruce set to shuffle his pack for Saturday’s Premier League clash at West Ham United.
The Magpies have won just two of their first ten games since Bruce replaced Rafa Benitez in the dugout and they could really do with a result next time out at the London Stadium, particularly after dropping two points at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But their hopes have not been helped by a suspension for Sean Longstaff, the homegrown midfielder who has been one of the few bright sparks in a miserable start to 2019/20.
Longstaff picked up a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Wolves’ Ruben Neves during the latter stages of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.
That has opened the door for Hayden to return, however, with the Chronicle claiming that the Essex-born enforcer could be set for a recall this weekend.
Hayden has suffered his own disciplinary problems too of late and hasn’t featured since being sent for an early bath in that humiliating 5-0 humbling at Leicester City at the end of September.
But with Newcastle crying out for a bit of bite in midfield, the report claims that the 24-year-old is set to return with Bruce likely to pick him ahead of Jonjo Shelvey and Ki Sung-Yeung.
Given that the likes of Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko have thrived when given space to run into of late, Hayden’s energy in front of the defence could be crucial at West Ham.
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