Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that youngster Sean Longstaff could feature over the Christmas period.
Central midfielder Ki Sung-yueng is off on Asian Cup duty and Jonjo Shelvey remains injured in the short-term, meaning Longstaff and Isaac Hayden are battling to partner Mohamed Diame in the middle of the park against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Benitez’s words suggest Longstaff could have the advantage: “I think he will have more chances obviously because still Jonjo is injured, even if he will be fine in a few days,” he told the Chronicle.
“We don’t have too many options in midfield, so I told Sean Longstaff this week that he is doing well, I am happy with him, and he has to stay, he has to keep working hard. After we will see what happens in January, but I have a lot of confidence in him.”
OPINION
This will be music to Newcastle’s fans’ ears, who have been calling for Longstaff to be involved for some time. The youngster enjoyed a spectacular season on loan at Blackpool last time out and surely deserves an opportunity over the festive period. With Ki and Shelvey absent against Liverpool it would be a real shame for the plodding Hayden to get the nod over Longstaff. If that is the case then the Magpies will be committing to a defensive approach that likely won’t succeed anyway against the Reds. At least if you have Longstaff in the line up you have more of an attack-minded player in the middle of midfield. That would be good for the counter attacks that Newcastle will inevitably launch on Wednesday. If Longstaff isn’t given an opportunity now it feels like he never will, and that would be a real shame for a talented young player. He deserves his chance against Liverpool and Benitez would be wise to give it to him.
