A number of Newcastle United supporters have urged Steve Bruce to offer more game-time to Matty Longstaff ahead of the January transfer window amid reports of his potential departure from the club.
The Magpies managed to keep hold of the midfielder during the summer, with Longstaff eventually committing himself to a new two-year deal at St James’ Park. That came after the 20-year-old was the subject of intense interest from Serie A side Udinese who had put an offer on the table to try and convince him to head to the Italian top flight, per Sky Sports.
The midfielder had enjoyed something of a breakthrough campaign at St James’ Park last season, with the 20-year-old having dramatically burst onto the scene with an excellent winning goal in their 1-0 win against Manchester United in October 2019. Bruce handed the 20-year-old nine appearances in the league last season, with six of those coming from the start (Sofascore).
Longstaff would have been hopeful that he could have forced his way into the side on a regular basis this term after signing the new deal, but a thigh injury has affected him in recent weeks. He has since struggled to get back into the side, with just one Premier League appearance to his name so far in 2020/21.
It has now emerged that Derby County are interested in making a potential loan move for him in the January window, with the Rams’ new technical director Steve McClaren hoping he can convince his former employers to sanction a temporary departure, per Sunday Mirror (29/11/2020, p72).
Newcastle fans urge Bruce to offer more game-time to Longstaff
Many Magpies fans have urged Bruce to start playing him ahead of the likes of Jeff Hendrick over the coming weeks to prevent him from seeking a loan move away in the winter transfer window.
https://twitter.com/ColinMiddlemas/status/1333424933351907328?s=19
Give him a run of games rather than drip feeding him minutes here or there
— Dan (@danmc1411) November 30, 2020
He’s a better player than Hendrick by a mile
— Andy Husband (@andy_husband1) November 30, 2020
Play him instead of Hendrick all day long !!
— Trevor Slater (@trevorslater) November 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/Michael46555164/status/1333408796673265665?s=19
https://twitter.com/IanRickyD/status/1333400115063758854?s=19
Play him
— me (@ashby_tim) November 30, 2020
