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da esport bet： Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden have formed a formidable yet unlikely midfield partnership in recent weeks, but the former looks set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future after picking up an injury against West Ham on Saturday.
On the chalkboard
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Longstaff is set to see a specialist on Wednesday regarding the knee injury he sustained at the weekend.
The report also claims that an initial scan on Monday showed no rupture, but the severity of his injury should become clear after he sees the specialist.
Just as the 21-year-old was beginning to earn recognition throughout the wider media for his performances this season, it seems he has suffered a cruel blow. Unfortunately that is the nature of the game and Rafa Benitez will now be faced with a fresh selection dilemma in midfield.
Jonjo Shelvey’s return to goal scoring form for Newcastle’s U23 side on Friday evening was certainly a timely boost, while Mo Diame is fully fit and an obvious short-term replacement for Longstaff.
However, there is ample evidence to suggest that Benitez may be inclined to chop Isaac Hayden from his starting eleven to make room for both Diame and Shelvey in the coming weeks, despite Hayden’s surprising and refreshing performances since the back end of December.
Lessons from 2017/18 season are key
Hayden is emerging as a strong candidate for the Magpies’ most improved player of the season award, and rightly so. The 23-year-old has defied his critics by stepping into the first-team with a series of solid displays in 2019, including a disciplined showing in the win over Manchester City in January.
But, for all of Hayden’s impressive work, it’s fair to say that the dynamic, understanding and familiarity between a midfield duo is often conducive to a positive result.
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The relationship between Shelvey and Diame blossomed as the 2017/18 season developed and their understanding formed a solid foundation of Newcastle’s survival bid, so Benitez should restore both players to his starting eleven in the absence of Longstaff.
It would be tough on Hayden, who has been a genuine surprise package this season, to drop him in favour of the returning Shelvey, but with the club’s Premier League status on the line it’s a decision which the Spaniard could be inclined to make.