Darren Bent has heaped praise on Newcastle United defender DeAndre Yedlin for his form after returning to the side after injury.
The Sky Sports pundit has been blown away by the American international and the way he has bought into what Steve Bruce is trying to create at St James’ Parl in the Premier League this season.
Bent was particularly impressed with Yedlin in the 2-1 win against Bournemouth, a game in which he scored a flying header to get his side back on level terms after going a goal behind.
“Yeah, of course, he did really really well,” he told Football Insider on Sunday.
“What I like about Yedlin and the other Newcastle players is that they are buying into what Steve Bruce is all about.
“Yedlin defended really well and got his goal.”
OPINION
There is no arguing the fact that Yedlin has been one of the Magpies’ standout players since he returned from last season’s set back. Bruce has given him the freedom to get forward whenever he likes, and that has hugely benefitted his right-back, who can cause great problems for opposing sides with his bucket-loads of pace and determination on and off the ball. Newcastle lacked that speed while he was away, but the introduction of Allan Saint-Maximin in the final third has delivered that and more, and Bent is right to praise Bruce for what he has tried to put together during his short tenure at the club. The 26-year-old hasn’t left his side open at the back despite going forward whenever he can and has averaged 1.8 tackles per game according to WhoScored, numbers which prove just how suited he is to that wing-back role under Bruce, something the manager will hope continues.
