Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has suggested that midfielders Matty Longstaff and Sean Longstaff could become integral for the Magpies, with the pair nearing a return.

The Magpies have suffered the blow of losing Jonjo Shelvey for around three or four weeks after the 28-year-old finally underwent surgery for a hernia injury, per Chronicle Live. Bruce had confirmed that the £70,000-a-week (Spotrac) midfielder had been playing on through the injury during the opening stages of the season.

Bruce still has firm belief in midfield duo

Newcastle have appeared light on numbers in the midfield area in the last couple of weeks, but Bruce confirmed that Isaac Hayden is now back in contention to start after sitting on the bench at Wolves last week as a precaution to a hamstring problem, per Chronicle Live. It has now emerged that both Longstaff brothers could also be ready to make their respective returns to the team.

Matty Longstaff is yet to feature for Newcastle's first team so far this season due to a persistent thigh problem, with the Magpies having fielded loan enquiries about the 20-year-old over the summer, per Chronicle Live. Meanwhile, his brother has featured three times in the league but had been out with tonsilitis.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Magpies’ clash against Everton, Bruce confirmed that both Longstaff brothers are set to make returns to the squad, while he also suggested that the pair could become an integral part of the side over the next few weeks.

He said: “They bring an energy to the team and they’re both very good passers of the ball too. They’ve had a few problems, but we hope they can stay fit because they’ve both got something to offer.

“Matty has played a game and a half for the U23s and looks like he’s over his injury.

“Sean has recovered from a bout of tonsilitis.”

Longstaff duo need to ensure they take their opportunities

Both Longstaff brothers have created plenty of buzz around them during their short Newcastle careers, with Sean having even been linked with a potential move to Manchester United after he burst onto the scene. Matty also impressed when making his breakthrough, with Alan Shearer labelling him ‘unbelievable.’

However, the pair have not been able to make much of an impact lately. The arrival of Jeff Hendrick alongside Hayden and Shelvey when they are fit means that both Longstaff brothers are far from guaranteed starters. They must build on Bruce’s backing and show they can deliver consistently to continue to play key roles for the Magpies.

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