Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HOWAY THE BAD
Bruce warns stars they are playing for their futures as he plans mass clearout
STEVE BRUCE has warned Newcastle stars are playing for new contracts – as he calls a summit to sort out the future of a staggering 14 players.
The Newcastle boss will meet managing director Lee Charnley next week to begin the groundwork for pay-rises for rising stars, and a major clear-out of up to six players.
Bruce’s squad is set for a period of uncertainty, and jostling for chances to prove themselves – with seven out of contract at the end of this season.
He says Newcastle will “go all out” to tie up the Longstaff brothers, with hero against Manchester United Matty, 19, on just £850 a week and able to talk to clubs in January.
Brother Sean is also in line for a pay rise after signing a new deal 10 months ago, before his first-team breakthrough.
There will also be good news for keeper Martin Dubravka who is set to have a pay-rise approved next week on a deal that lasts until 2022.
Isaac Hayden is also wanted on an extended deal as a powerhouse the club will build around.
Big earner Jonjo Shelvey, and influential Matt Ritchie will have decisions made about them this season. Of the seven out of contract next summer, Andy
Carroll has the best chance of earning a longer stay if he can prove his fitness.
Ki Sung-yeung, Karl Darlow, Federico Fernandez – wanted in
Spain and China – Javier Manquillo, Rob Elliot and Jack Colback, could leave, freeing up wages for Bruce to reinvest in his own players. Ahead of today’s clash at Chelsea, Bruce said: “I’ve got a meeting scheduled for this week.
“The MD is talking to a few of the players, the Longstaffs in particular, and there’s Shelvey on the agenda, the keeper and Matt Ritchie. So over the next week we might have news.”
Asked if it was a chance for the club to refresh he said: “There are big decisions to be had. That’s normal in any club.
“I’ve only been here three months and have not seen some of them play yet. I haven’t seen Florian Lejeune play yet, either. We’ll do our utmost to make sure we don’t lose our best young players. I’m sure we’ll be all out to get them tied up, which is vitally important.”
Bruce says Newcastle must build on their win last time out against Manchester United, adding: “We will have played arguably the top six in the first nine games and Leicester, who for me are the team to be in the top six. If we can get something at Chelsea then we’re probably level par.
“So it is OK, but there is room for improvement. I think we will get better.”