Newcastle centre back Grant Hanley is hopeful for a recall to the starting eleven in Newcastle’s upcoming league matches but he knows that despite keeping a clean sheet against Preston North End, he could be back on the bench for the return match in the league at the weekend.
The 24 year old has only started one league match this season in the 1-0 defeat to Fulham on the opening day and has been restricted to starts in the EFL Cup and fleeting substitute appearances since then. He told the club’s official website that although he feels he performed well, he did the same in the last two rounds of EFL Cup and still ended up back on the bench:
“It’s pleasing to keep another clean sheet – as a centre-half, that’s your job, first and foremost. The lads are doing well at the moment, so it’s difficult to ease your way into the side. But, I’ve been in this situation before and you just have to knuckle down and keep working hard in training, and keep working hard when you get a chance on the pitch. And hopefully, another opportunity will come.”
Hanley started the 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town in the second round, the 2-0 victory over Wolves in the last round, and in the 6-0 thrashing of Preston last night. He has however been unable to dislodge captain Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark from the starting eleven despite his good form.
