Lee can’t see Matty leaving Magpies
FORMER Newcastle United midfielder Lee Clark says he cannot see Matty Longstaff leaving the club in January.
Longstaff is being linked with Derby County.
A report in the national press said the Rams are looking to bring the 20-year-old midfielder in on loan.
The Rams’ technical director Steve McClaren is a former Newcastle manager, so there is an obvious link, although Derby are not short of midfielders.
They have Graeme Shinnie, Jason Knight, Max Bird, George Evans, Krystian Bielik, Duane Holmes, Louie Sibley and interim manager Wayne Rooney.
Clarke played for Newcastle in the Nineties and returned for a second spell between 2005 and 2006.
He told website Tribal Football: “I can’t see Matty leaving St James’ Park in January. I don’t think Newcastle have a big enough or strong enough squad to let somebody of Matty’s quality leave the club.
“He’s had a stop-start last few months because of injury. The situation with his contract has now been sorted. So I would be amazed if they let Matty go.
“If they did and he went to Derby, he would be a magnificent signing for Derby in the Championship.
“I can see where the link is because Matty has just signed up to Triple S Sports and Entertainment Group, the same agency as Wayne Rooney. But I can’t see it happening.”
Longstaff has been struggling for game time this season. He has been beset by injuries during the first half of the campaign and has made only one appearance.