OPINION
Not many things went wrong for Newcastle United as they secured a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies will have been disappointed to only collect a single point, but that was against a team who had just gone to the Premier League champions, Manchester City and kept a clean sheet while picking up all three points.
Things were looking rosy for the first hour or so at St James’ Park, with Steve Bruce’s side controlling the game with relative ease in possession of the ball.
Jonny then equalised after a Martin Dubravka error, and things didn’t get much better from there as Sean Longstaff picked up a red card that left Newcastle clinging on for a point.
The only positive that could come from the three-match suspension for Longstaff would be the fact that Bruce isn’t too short on options at this moment.
Isaac Hayden is now available to return to the Magpies’ squad after completing his suspension for the rash tackle in the thrashing at Leicester City.
The former Arsenal starlet will surely go straight back into the side in holding midfield, meaning that the Magpies will not be missing any defensive steel in the middle of the park.
That could be bad news for Longstaff, who was just starting to form an effective partnership with brother, Matty, and will now be facing the uphill battle of replacing Hayden upon his return.
Hayden was phenomenal at the beginning of the season and was one of the few shining lights for Bruce as his side were repeatedly being picked apart by opposing sides.
Jonjo Shelvey came on to the pitch after the red card on Sunday but did little to impress in the draw, and Hayden will most likely get the nod for the game against West Ham.
Should the 24-year-old return in good form, then Longstaff will surely face an uphill battle to earn his spot back after completing his suspension.
