Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass will assess keeping Matty Longstaff at the club past January after a difficult time on loan from Newcastle United, via quotes by The Press and Journal.
Longstaff moved to Pittodrie Stadium in a last-ditch deal in August, but has failed to be an integral player. Glass has only fielded the 21-year-old five times in the Premiership so far, with starting roles in just three games.
The midfielder has additionally only featured for 17-minutes since October and has failed to make the Dons’ last two squads. He will now hope to return to the fold at St Johnstone on Saturday, but faces a challenge after Aberdeen won back-to-back times without him.
Glass let Longstaff know before facing St Mirren last week that the Newcastle gem would not make his Aberdeen squad. But the youngster responded in a positive fashion.
“Matty is still competing to be in this group until January, then we will see where we are,” Glass said. “The one thing through the whole thing is Matty’s attitude has been brilliant.
“He knew he wasn’t getting stripped. After, he asked me that he went away and did some work on his own. Matty is working his tail off to try to get back because the training has been limited the last couple of weeks in terms of a group and football work.”
Will Newcastle recall Longstaff from Aberdeen loan next month?
Glass and Aberdeen will remain in contact with Newcastle’s loans manager Shola Ameobi to discuss Longstaff’s future at the club. Reports by Chronicle Live have noted Eddie Howe will look to recall the midfielder in January if the youngster cannot improve his situation.
“We constantly speak to their loan managers,” he added. “There’s a recognition that these are young players coming to compete in a decent team here.
“There’s a constant discussion. The clubs are happy with where those players are, what they’re getting and the fact they have to compete to earn time on the park.”
Longstaff returning to Newcastle from his Aberdeen loan transfer early next month would end a disappointing chapter for the midfielder.
He will have hoped to play week-in, week-out at Pittodrie, but has instead been a spectator in most games. Howe will now have little reason to draft Longstaff into his St James’ Park side upon any return, likely making a loan move elsewhere a point of order for Ameobi.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
