Hayden: I still want to leave Newcastle

Isaac Hayden still wants to leave Newcastle United.

Hayden asked for a move in the summer so he could be with his young daughter. However, manager Rafa Benitez blocked the request.

Hayden was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Cardiff City’s Josh Murphy, brother of Newcastle winger Jacob, in the club’s second game of the season.

And the 23-year-old – who has started United’s last three games with Ki Sung-yueng away for the Asian Cup – has opened up about a “difficult” six months as he waits on news of a possible move in this month’s transfer window.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s obviously been difficult,” said Hayden, who is preparing for tomorrow’s third round FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers at St James’s Park.

“The fans will have their own opinions, which I fully appreciate. I’m not going to be their favourite player – I knew that after the sending off. That was one of those things where Murphy was taking the **** .

“To be honest, I wanted to give him one, but I gave him a little bit too hard a one and got sent off, and it made me look a little bit worse than it was.

“I knew I was coming on, and I was thinking ‘whack him hard, first one’, but obviously I whacked him a bit too hard and got the sending off.

“From that moment on, I’ve just tried to crack on. The manager will say the same thing, and I don’t think the staff have had any problems. I’m here to do my job.

“It’s been difficult, but hopefully the club have known for six months what the situation is, and there have been a few conversations already. We’ll just see what happens over the next few weeks.

“As far as I’m concerned, I just get on with my job in training, and whenever I’m called upon, I try my best. That’s all I can do, really.

Hayden, signed from Arsenal in the summer of 2016, feels his finally up to speed, having only played a handful of games last year.

“It’s up to the club. I’m the club’s player so I can’t comment on that.”