Former Newcastle United star Steve Howey believes that Sean Longstaff’s contract situation will give him extra motivation to perform at a high level this season.

The midfielder’s current deal expires at the end of the upcoming campaign, sparking fears at St James’ Park that he could well leave on a free transfer next summer.

Longstaff has emerged as a key player for the club in recent seasons and has made a total of 69 appearances, scoring four goals and laying on four assists.

He played 22 times in the Premier League last term and Howey believes that he will be keen to show exactly what he can do this season, either to earn a new contract or potentially convince another club to try to sign him on a free transfer.

And that may, in turn, ultimately work in Newcastle’s favour, as they look to improve on last term’s 12th-placed finish.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Howey said: “I think it’s up to the player himself to make sure that he has a very, very good season. Because somebody that’s promised a lot when he first broke into the team, obviously had a dip in form, there’s injuries and stuff like that which happens, which is totally understandable.

“Now, he could hold all the cards because obviously he’s coming to the last year of his contract. If he has a really good season, then he can either pick the club that he wants to go to or he could be saying to Newcastle, ‘well listen, I want X, Y, and Z’ and it’s up to the club so I think it’s in his own interests if he has a really good season.”