Sean Longstaff did not start for Newcastle United against Norwich City at the weekend.
In a move that will have surprised and annoyed the Newcastle fans, Bruce named 21-year-old midfielder Longstaff among the substitutes for the Premier League game against Norwich away from home at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon.
The youngster did come on as a substitute in the 74th minute, but that was not enough to present the Magpies from suffering a 3-1 defeat.
Newcastle manager Bruce has explained why he opted not to include Longstaff in the starting lineup.
Bruce told The Chronicle about Longstaff: “I am trying to protect the lad. He has had a wonderful rise, we have to protect him as he had a serious injury.”
Linked-away
Longstaff was linked with a move away from Newcastle in the summer transfer window, with The Times reporting that Premier League and European giants Manchester United wanted to secure the services of the midfielder.
According to ESPN FC, United remain interested in Longstaff despite Newcastle demanding £50 million for the 21-year-old, although the summer transfer window in the Premier League now closed, any move will have to wait until January 2020.
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