Report suggests why Newcastle midfielder Matty Longstaff isn’t playing

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Matty Longstaff is having a season to forget at Newcastle.

The youngster broke into the first team last year, being thrust into the starting XI at home to Manchester United.

It was the stuff of dreams for Longstaff, who scored the winner in front of the Gallowgate on his Premier League debut, playing alongside his older brother.

But this season has been more of a nightmare.

After signing a new two-year contract in the summer, the midfielder has barely featured.

Longstaff has played just five times in the Premier League so far, including three starts in a row against some of the toughest sides around.

The 20-year-old was a consistent figure over Christmas, looking like Newcastle’s best player in consecutive games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester.

But since the defeat to the Foxes, Longstaff’s only other appearance was in defeat to Arsenal. Interestingly, that was the game where Steve Bruce claimed the gloves were off. We lost 3-0…

In recent weeks, Longstaff can’t even get on the bench – at a time when you’re actually allowed to name nine substitutes.

Instead, he has had to settle for youth football, lining up for the Under-23s in the recent derby with Sunderland.

Where is Matty Longstaff?

According to the Athletic, his teammates are surprised at how little he has played.

The report also suggests a reason for Bruce not picking Longstaff – his naivety in the Premier League.

If this is true, it would be very harsh. While he certainly lacks experience, he showed over the Christmas period that he can be relied on.

Particularly in the draw with Liverpool, he was disciplined and sensible in possession.

And even if Bruce does believe Longstaff to be naïve, there’s only one way he’s going to improve and that’s by playing him.

While the manager may claim that he can’t take the risk with Newcastle’s Premier League status on the line, it’s not like the experienced players are excelling.

Jeff Hendrick has played 18 times in the Premier League this season, but has done nothing to suggest he should play more than Longstaff.

Bruce’s insistence on ignoring Longstaff is stunting his development, at a time when he could be making great strides.

He very nearly left in the summer, and at this moment in time he probably wishes he did.