This Newcastle United player 'has a lot of work to do' in Steve Bruce's view

Steve Bruce is determined to get Sean Longstaff back to his best at Newcastle United.
Sean Longstaff at the final whistle.Sean Longstaff at the final whistle.
Sean Longstaff at the final whistle.

Longstaff played in last night’s 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Blackburn Rovers at St James’s Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Longstaff and his team-mates found it tough going against the Championship team, but Bruce – who made 10 changes to his team for the second-round tie – feels that his cup starters will be better for the minutes they got against Tony Mowbray’s side.

Asked about Longstaff, Bruce said: “We all know what capabilities he’s got.

"He’s got to show it more often, more regularly, and I’m sure he’ll be a bit disappointed with how he’s played. But we’ve got to try to get him to where he maybe was. He’s got a lot of work to do. He’s got healthy competition around him.

"I think he was another one who maybe needed a game, and I think that showed.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Sean Longstaff.Sean Longstaff.
Sean Longstaff.

However, Longstaff’s progress was interrupted by a long-term knee injury, and he made 23 Premier League appearances under Bruce last season.

Against Blackburn, the 22-year-old was fielded in central midfield alongside 23-year-old Dan Barlaser, who spent last season at Rotherham United and could yet be loaned out again.

Longstaff was briefly used as a No.10 by Bruce late last season – he scored in a 4-1 win over Bournemouth from that position – and United’s head coach believes that could be his best position.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“His best games for me last season were where he played off the front, a No.10,” said Bruce. “Today I played him in the centre of midfield in a two, certainly he’s a midfield player, but his best position maybe is No.10.”

Meanwhile, Longstaff’s younger brother Matty – who signed a new long-term deal this summer after his contract expired – is sidelined with a thigh injury. The 20-year-old broke through at Newcastle last season after impressing in pre-season.