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Steve Bruce has admitted to the Shields Gazette that Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff and Matty Longstaff have both picked up injuries. 

The Longstaff brothers didn’t feature in Newcastle’s friendly win over Hull City at the weekend, and there are now concerns over their availability for the restart.

Newcastle are due to face Sheffield United at the weekend, but Bruce’s options in midfield could be limited. 

Bruce is hoping that the Longstaff brothers can return to training today, but whether they will have enough time to sharpen up for Sunday’s game remains to be seen.

“We’ve picked up one or two (injuries) in the week, the two Longstaff brothers in particular, but they’ll hopefully be joining us on Monday or Tuesday,” Bruce said. 

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Even if Matty Longstaff does make it back there has to be some question marks over whether he would be considered for selection by Newcastle.

The younger Longstaff brother is heavily linked with a move away from Tyneside, after failing to agree a new contract.

Longstaff has under a month remaining on his current deal at Newcastle, and it seems that he could leave to join Udinese rather than stick around. 

Newcastle are currently in 13th place in the Premier League table, with nine games to play. 

In other news, Liverpool interest in Jadon Sancho denied amid claims he fancies Anfield move