Eddie Howe met the media this morning ahead of Newcastle United’s big game on Sunday against Arsenal and provided an update on Sean Longstaff’s fitness.
Sean Longstaff was sent for x-rays last week after picking up an ankle injury in the game at Everton. There was huge speculation that Longstaff had suffered a break in his foot and that his season would be over.
Thankfully the scan revealed that the injury wasn’t as serious as first feared, but the Newcastle academy graduate would miss a couple of key fixtures. Now Eddie Howe has given an update on his progress: “Sean is OK. He’s improved but he hasn’t trained yet. We’re hoping either today or tomorrow he will but we’ll wait and see.”
Sean Longstaff has become a key figure for Newcastle
It’s a testament to how much Longstaff has developed this season that it was a genuine concern amongst fans that he could miss the remainder of the season.
At the start of the season, Longstaff came in for a lot of criticism as he seemed to be off the pace and way off the quality of the players around him, but Howe stuck with him and as the season continued Longstaff become a key player.
When the 25-year-old hasn’t played recently, Newcastle have visibly missed him. His work rate is instantly missed, regardless of who fills in for him. And that’s not a dig at the other players in the squad, it just shows how important Longy has become to the way Newcastle play.
Longy has been backed to become a ‘superstar’ by Michael Dawson
Sky Sports‘ Michael Dawson recently said Longstaff is becoming a ‘superstar’ and praised him for how influential he has become.
If Longstaff can get his shooting under control he’d be the complete midfielder.
Hopefully Sunday will be the last game he misses after Howe saying he’s close to a return to training.
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