Report: 29-year-old who Bruce called ‘silly’ is about to quit Newcastle

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Jeff Hendrick is reportedly on the verge of leaving Newcastle United.

Steve Bruce’s sacking in October has effectively rendered Hendrick as a forgotten man at St James’s Park.

Since Bruce was axed, the Republic of Ireland international has managed only 11 minutes of Premier League under Eddie Howe.

According to Team Talk, the 29-year-old has been told that he can leave on deadline day.

In the same report, Hendrick is apparently set to join Middlesbrough on a half-season loan with a view to making it a permanent transfer if he impressed Chris Wilder on Teeside.

Coffin nail

Bruno Guimarares’s £40 million move to Tyneside was confirmed on Sunday and that appears to be the very last coffin nail in the midfielder’s career in the North East, with the Brazilian pushing him further down the pecking order under Howe.

Hendrick joined Newcastle on a free transfer during the summer of 2020, with Bruce excited by his signing at the time.

However, the former Magpies manager pulled no punches when it came to criticising Hendrick and last year he branded him ‘silly‘ for receiving a red card in a victory over Southampton.

To be frank, the former Burnley star has never really looked like being a success story at Newcastle.

Yes, he had some good moments under Bruce but, for the most part, it was an entirely forgetable 18-month stint and most supporters in the North East probably won’t care that he’s joining one of their neighbours.