Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden says he can’t complain about game-time

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Isaac Hayden has been a peripheral figure for Newcastle United lately.

In comments reported by the Shields Gazette, Isaac Hayden has admitted that he cannot have any complaints about his recent lack of game-time due to how well Newcastle’s midfielders have been performing lately.

Rafa Benitez’s men have been a lot more impressive lately. They have lost just one of their last six, and that came away at Liverpool at the start of the month, and have secured victories over Manchester United and Southampton to ease any concerns about potential relegation.

Several players have stepped up lately, and that has had an impact on Hayden. The 22-year-old has not played 90 minutes since January and has cumulatively played little over a half of football during that run of six games. However, the midfielder insisted that he had no qualms regarding Benitez’s team selections.

“The main thing is that you want to get minutes. I don’t mind if it was even the last 45 minutes, I just wanted to get some game-time,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette, when reflecting on the Magpies’ recent mid-season friendly.

“It’s been difficult to get in the starting XI as the lads have been doing really well, so I can’t have any complaints at the minute that I haven’t been playing.”

While Hayden is potentially not the flashiest player in the squad and the fans may not be rueing his absence from the starting lineup, they will surely be delighted with his comments.

That is arguably exactly the kind of attitude that Benitez will want to see from those hoping to get more game-time, and that should have a positive impact on the players currently in the side.

They will know that if they let their standard slip after the international break, there are players who are not playing and not sulking either, raring to go if they get their chance in the side.