Eddie Howe shares why he dropped Sean Longstaff from Newcastle XI

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Eddie Howe has stated that Sean Longstaff did not start for Newcastle United against Aston Villa due to illness rather than for tactical reasons.

Longstaff was named on the Newcastle bench on Saturday, with Anthony Gordon taking his place. The decision saw Joelinton move into the midfield three, while local lad Longstaff sat with the substitutes for the first time since September.

The 25-year-old had started 22 Premier League games in row, but that run came to an end at Villa Park.

Another run that came to an end was Newcastle’s winning streak, with Howe’s side unable to make it six wins in a row. Instead, the Magpies were absolutely battered by Aston Villa. In fact, they were ‘destroyed’ in the eyes of Gary Neville.

It was a disappointing performance from Newcastle, and one that highlighted the importance of Longstaff. Now Howe has explained why he was taken out of the starting lineup.

Eddie Howe states that Sean Longstaff had tonsillitis

Howe spoke to the Northern Echo after the defeat, and explained why Gordon replaced Longstaff in the Newcastle starting XI.

“Sean had a bout of tonsillitis in the week, so he didn’t train. We felt he wasn’t fit to start the game,” he said.

“I don’t think his absence necessarily affects where Bruno is playing on the pitch, but we maybe missed Sean’s tenacity and his legs and energy.

“His endurance levels are at the very highest level, and we didn’t look right in midfield today. But I would say that in every area of the pitch, we didn’t look quite right. I’m not sure that’s just down to one player.”

Longstaff will eye Newcastle recall

With Newcastle struggling without Longstaff, it feels likely that he will return to the side to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. That feels especially likely now that we know he did not start against Villa due to fitness rather than tactical reasons.

It felt like tactical reasons when the team was announced, as he had been taken off at half time the previous week which led to a big improvement from the Magpies. Playing Joelinton in the middle made sense, meaning Longstaff was the one dropped to the bench.

However, his boundless energy and work off the ball was a big miss at Villa Park, and it is vital we get that back against a fragile Tottenham side who suffered a crushing defeat of their own at the weekend.