Sources: Frozen-out Longstaff set for Newcastle first XI recall after big development
Steve Bruce is set to recall frozen-out Matty Longstaff to the Newcastle United first team after his run-out on Monday for the Under-23s, Football Insider understands.
Longstaff, 20, hasn’t featured in the Premier League since Newcastle’s January 18 loss to Arsenal following what had been a run of starts over the festive period.
The young midfielder had not played for Newcastle at any level for almost two months, before his start in Monday’s Premier League 2 clash against Sunderland.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that Longstaff’s inclusion in the youth team’s starting 11 was with the aim to build up his fitness ahead of an immediate return to the first team.
Longstaff played the full match in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland and has been earmarked to play – and potentially start – Friday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.
The midfielder’s outing for the Under-23s comes just days after this site revealed that Bruce’s treatment of Matty and his brother Sean has caused anger among the senior squad at Newcastle.
Both players have been selected less often than they were last season.
This now looks set to change for Matty, who has made just five senior appearances this season – all in the Premier League – after his breakthrough 2019-20 campaign.
The younger Longstaff’s last appearance for the Under-23s was back in October, which is why his inclusion on Monday raised eyebrows.
Bruce is set to give him another chance in the coming weeks as he looks to put an end to the club’s dreadful run of form.
Newcastle have picked up just two wins in their last 18 games in all competitions and are in a relegation battle.
The Magpies sit just one point above the Premier League relegation zone after drawing 0-0 with West Brom at the weekend.
In other news, there is mutiny in the Newcastle United dressing room after latest behind-the-scenes fall-out.