Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that midfielder Sean Longstaff will miss the clash with Brighton this weekend.
Longstaff was also absent for Newcastle’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool last week and continues to be out with an ankle injury sustained in training.
Twitter: #nufc boss Steve Bruce said game was too early for Sean Longstaff, still out with ankle injury (@lee_ryder)
READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT
Should Shelvey keep his place?
Yes. Despite a poor performance against Liverpool, as he struggled to cope defensively against their attackers, Shelvey could be more suited to a game against Brighton.
The midfielder will have more time on the ball in midfield and Newcastle have a better chance of holding the ball for longer spells, due to the drop in level of opposition from Liverpool to Brighton. This means that Shelvey will be able to pick out passes with his excellent range and set Newcastle on the attack.
He will, however, have to up his defensive game and start tracking runners – as he was too easily bypassed against Liverpool and his mistakes will cost Newcastle if he continues to make them.
If Shelvey is able to turn in a good performance against Brighton then he could start to think about really nailing down his place in Steve Bruce’s starting XI for the coming weeks and months.
