---
title: "Newcastle fans urge Steve Bruce to give Matty Longstaff more game-time amid exit rumours"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2020/12/01/newcastle-fans-urge-bruce-to-play-matty-longstaff/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jrushworth"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-12-01T12:00:26Z"
modified: "2020-12-01T12:00:26Z"
---

# Newcastle fans urge Steve Bruce to give Matty Longstaff more game-time amid exit rumours

A number of Newcastle United supporters have urged Steve Bruce to offer more game-time to [Matty Longstaff](https://readnewcastle.com/2020/11/30/newcastle-fans-react-matty-longstaff-derby-loan-rumours/)ahead of the January transfer window amid [reports](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/) 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](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53873445#:~:text=Newcastle%20midfielder%20Matty%20Longstaff%20has,coming%20through%20the%20Newcastle%20academy.) 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](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11999361/matty-longstaff-newcastle-midfielder-offered-udinese-contract).

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](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49868087) 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](https://www.sofascore.com/player/matthew-longstaff/988963)).

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](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/18738505.matty-longstaffs-thigh-injury-proving-problematic/) has affected him in recent weeks. He has since struggled to get back into the side, with just [one Premier League appearance](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matthew-longstaff/leistungsdaten/spieler/484387) 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)](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/).

### **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](https://twitter.com/danmc1411/status/1333391261689122816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He’s a better player than Hendrick by a mile
>
> — Andy Husband (@andy\_husband1) [November 30, 2020](https://twitter.com/andy_husband1/status/1333424421927870468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Play him instead of Hendrick all day long !!
>
> — Trevor Slater (@trevorslater) [November 30, 2020](https://twitter.com/trevorslater/status/1333386378797862912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/Michael46555164/status/1333408796673265665?s=19

https://twitter.com/IanRickyD/status/1333400115063758854?s=19

> Play him
>
> — me (@ashby\_tim) [November 30, 2020](https://twitter.com/ashby_tim/status/1333389997060333575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)