Sean won’t need to wait Long for league debut
LONGSTAFF A TOON STARTER SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, SAYS BENITEZ
RAFA Benitez has indicated Sean Longstaff will be handed his Premier League debut “sooner rather than later” with Newcastle United.
The youngster has been included in the last two firstteam squads and signed a four-year contract this week to extend his stay at St James’ Park.
Longstaff saw an outgoing loan deal to Portsmouth blocked in August as he was told he was needed to be part of the senior squad.
However, his chances have been limited this term and most of his football has been played with the reserves or in the Checkatrade Trophy with the under-21s.
When asked if he would have a chance sooner rather than later, Benitez said: “Yeah, sooner, for sure.
“I am really pleased with him because he has done very well in every training session.
“The fact we gave him a contract is because we believe he can be a good player for Newcastle United.”
Newcastle will run late fitness checks on former Arsenal midfielder Isaac Hayden ahead of the clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow.
If Hayden does not make it, Longstaff is likely to stay in the first-team squad.
Benitez added: “He has been with us because Hayden could not play.
“Hayden had a sore ankle and has had treatment.”
Benitez has shown again in recent times he is not afraid to wield the axe in terms of first team selection with both skipper Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey left out of the starting XI even when they were fully fit.
Lascelles returned to the opening line-up for the 1-1 draw with Everton but Benitez said he was pleased with the attitude of the duo.
When asked if there had been any negative reaction from Lascelles or Shelvey, Benitez replied: “No, they are professionals and they understood that the team was doing well.
“They know they have to wait and keep pushing to get back in the team.
“I think they understand a team which was winning and in the position they were needed support behind the scenes and they were doing that.”
United’s back-room team will be working with Karl Darlow in the next few days as he looks to get over an elbow injury but there is better news on Florian Lejeune.
Benitez added: “Darlow will start training again this week.
“Lejeune could play now if we wanted but we don’t take any risks so he is getting better and getting stronger.”
Benitez wants his team to continue sticking to the basics after recovering from their defeat against West Ham with a creditable draw at Everton.
He added: “We have to be a team which is compact, well organised and difficult to break down. That is the main thing if you want to win games or get results.”