Newcastle United will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham when they take on Wolves in the Premier League at Molineux next Monday.
The Tyneside club’s loss to Mauricio Pochettino’s side comes after their shock 2-1 win over Manchester City, which was another game where Sean Longstaff impressed.
With injuries to Mohamed Diame, Jonjo Shelvey and Ki Sung-yueng, the 21-year-old has come into the team and done a solid job in midfield, giving Rafael Benitez a decision to make with the trio now close to returning to full fitness.
Longstaff, however, is relishing the competition he is about to face as he looks to tie down a regular spot in Newcastle’s starting XI.
“I think the other lads are pretty much fit now, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens,” the Newcastle academy graduate told Chronicle Live.
“For me, it’s about keeping working hard. I’m just trying to do enough to stay in the manager’s thoughts. When you’ve got top players like Jonjo, Mo and Ki coming back, it’s going to be tough, but that’s all part of the game.”
Given the way he has performed since coming into the team, it would be harsh if Longstaff was dropped the moment Diame, Shelvey and Ki become available for selection. And as a whole, the Magpies have been playing well of late, so why try fix something that is not broken?
You can take a look at Newcastle supporters’ thoughts on Longstaff below…
His heart is with the club, he has black & white blood and it stands out a mile. Hope he’s kept in the team.
— Julie Clay (@julieclayevents) February 6, 2019
Yes I would- he’s been excellent; not just a stopgap player, but looks a quality central midfielder.
— A̷n̷d̷ (@El_Tibur0n) February 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/LondonMagpies/status/1093046757704036352
https://twitter.com/Adrian____29/status/1093030967403573250
Oh yes, how can u take him out, if we’d been losing all our games then yes but our forms been canny really, but either way it’s Rafa’s way n @seanlongstaff97 will be 1st team regular sooner rather than later, class to see one of our own in the team !
— Garry I (@GAZZ14) February 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/mkhan185/status/1093083337428750336
100% play him. He’s been excellent and his performances should be rewarded and his place retained. It’s up to the others to work hard and take his place . Under no circs should it be a given
— ben willetts (@willetts_ben) February 6, 2019
One of the best things to come out of this dreadful season, hope Rafa sticks with him.
— Toon Tommy ⚫️⚪️ (@baddontommy) February 6, 2019
I’d like him to play with the shackles off a bit and be box to box.! He’s been asked to do a job and done it very well.! I just think he’s got a goal threat in him that needs to be let out.! He reminds me of a frank lampard type player not Michael Carrick.!
— Barry Horton (@barryh1969) February 6, 2019
