Eddie Howe admits that Sean Longstaff’s long-term future at Newcastle United is classed as ‘unclear’ after the midfielder was last seen in the starting line-up in a Premier League game back in December.
Since the 4-2 defeat away to Brentford, North Shields lad Longstaff has been restricted to cup appearances and cameos off the bench. The 27-year-old still has a year left on his current deal but is wanted by Everton while Chronicle Live understands that Manchester United remain interested in his signature.
Longstaff can’t break into Eddie Howe’s midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes and both Joe Willock and Lewis Miley have been getting minutes from the bench ahead of him. It all leaves long serving and reliable star Longstaff facing an uncertain few months.
For now, Longstaff is needed for the Champions League push but the midfielder did not get on in the Carabao Cup final and watched on as three other changes were made in the 2-1 win against Brentford as he remained on the bench. The midfielder had been primed to replace Jacob Murphy in the dying minutes before being switched for Emil Krafth.
When asked about Longstaff, Howe, speaking at his Press conference, said: “His role is to be ready to play, ready to come on and I have trusted him in big games where he has come on and played his part in those wins.
“We are going to need the whole squad in our league season. We have nine massive games to come and everybody has to be ready .
“His long term future is slightly more unclear. But what I can say is that behind the scenes, Sean has been very good, helping the group, training to a high level and I cannot speak highly enough of him as a player.”
Given Newcastle’s options in midfield, probably their strongest area, Longstaff faces a tricky decision in the summer. The 27-year-old watched fellow North Tynesider Elliot Anderson leave for Nottingham Forest last year, and the academy product has gone from strength to strength.
Longstaff stated in an interview last November: “With Elliot, it shows that sometimes you have to go away to show your value and show how good you are.”
