What Steve McClaren said about Isaac Hayden is spot on, Newcastle star must take his advice

Add as preferred source on Google

Isaac Hayden has not made a first-team appearance at Newcastle United in nearly three years.

The 29-year-old has become a forgotten figure around St James’ Park after completely falling out of Eddie Howe‘s plans.

Isaac Hayden’s last senior appearance came back in December 2021 in a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Since then, Hayden has been out on loan to Norwich City, Standard Liege and Queens Park Rangers as he pursues regular game time. There were three clubs looking to sign Hayden on loan over the summer, but he ended up staying put on Tyneside.

Hayden make a shock Newcastle United return last month when he featured for the Under-21s against Halifax Town in the National League Cup. However, a pathway back to the first team still looks extremely unlikely…

Steve McClaren offers Isaac Hayden advice

While Hayden has struggled for game time at Newcastle, he did make his debut for the Jamaican national team earlier this month.

He was called up by former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren, who took charge of Jamaica this summer after departing Manchester United.

After handing Hayden his international debut, McClaren spoke about his situation at Newcastle and advised him to leave in January.

As quoted by Newcastle World, McClaren said: “He [Hayden] realises that he’s in the reserves at Newcastle. He needs a club in January. This is as much about the March window, the summer window and the next World Cup window as it is this window.

“Whether he contributes, whether he plays or he doesn’t, it’s as much getting him integrated into the Jamaican way of working. He’s really enthusiastic about that.

“Every player needs a cause. Every player needs motivation and his motivation is to get back playing at the level he was playing three or four years ago when he first went to Newcastle. That’s his only thing.”

Newcastle need to part ways with Isaac Hayden

McClaren is absolutely right. For all parties involved, it is best if Hayden leaves Newcastle in January.

Fans could be forgiven for forgetting that Hayden was still on the books at Newcastle and, frankly, it doesn’t reflect well on the club and recruitment team that he is still under contract.

Newcastle are currently trying to cut costs and grow revenue to navigate the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and removing Hayden from the wage bill will help.

It will also help him get his career back on track, both with club and country.