Red Devils clash is perfect opportunity for Bruce to give Toon kids a chance

FANS WOULD WELCOME SEEING SIBLINGS IN STARTING XI

NEWCASTLE United fans are desperate for a lift ahead of the crunch clash with Manchester United this weekend.

With Steve Bruce frantically going through the United play book in recent weeks, there is one option he has yet to try in a bid to net a much-needed victory in the Premier League.

However, this weekend his hand could well be forced as he tries to inject something positive back into his team.

The Magpies have Isaac Hayden in the sin bin after his dismissal at Leicester, while Jonjo Shelvey is expected to miss the game due to a hamstring injury.

It leaves Bruce with a relatively simple choice as to who partners Sean Longstaff in the middle of the park.

Will it be former South Korea skipper Ki or will he opt for Sean’s younger brother Matty?

At the start of Bruce’s stint in charge, he praised the energy of Matty during the club’s pre-season tour of China and stated he liked his style because he is “full of life.”

The 19-year-old is not one to shirk a tackle but will bring muchneeded energy to the midfield in a game where Newcastle need to dig deep.

However, the one thing which stands against playing both of the Longstaff brothers is their lack of experience.

Remember, this would be Matty’s Premier League debut and some may deem it something of a risk because he lacks seniority.

Yet it begs the question, can he do any worse than Ki?

The former Sunderland and Swansea man (right) brings something to the table in terms of set-plays but looked off the pace at the King Power Stadium, not least for the second goal as a flowing Leicester move passed him by and Jamie Vardy cashed in for the second goal.

It really is a question of when is a good time to unleash the battling brothers from North Shields. True, even Sean endured his fair share of stick on social media after the 5-0 hammering but it was only his first game back after an ankle injury.

This weekend he will be determined to remind everybody his form last season was not just a flash in the pan.

Let’s be honest, fans scrolling for team news would be lifted significantly if two Academy products were thrown into the battle against Man United.

And yes, it would be much earlier than expected in many ways.

Matty was supposed to go out on loan this season and there was a queue of EFL clubs ready to take him - but Bruce pulled the deal back.

Just 12 months ago, the pair were patrolling the midfield in the Checkatrade Trophy at Doncaster Rovers in a 3-1 victory with neither player having a second of competitive first-team action between them.

Ask most fans, however, and it is a no-brainer: if it did not work out, it is a stone unturned and at the very least some valuable experience for Matty in the bank.

Bruce has spoken openly about giving the kids a chance - and if ever an opportunity presented itself, then surely it is now?