NEWCASTLE MANAGER STEVE Bruce admits he is growing increasingly concerned about the futures of Sean and Matty Longstaff, with the brothers yet to commit their long-term future to the north-east club.
Sean Longstaff, who was a transfer target for Manchester United over the summer, has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal while younger brother Matty is out of contract at the end of the season.
Both players have been in talks with the club over new deals but have yet to reach an agreement.
When asked about the future of the midfield duo, Bruce told a news conference: “Look, we always want to keep your best young players, especially if they’re Geordies, of course. Let’s hope they both get tied up.”
The Magpies boss admitted the future of Matty Longstaff is of particular concern, given he is now into the last six months of his current deal.
It’s a concern for us all, of course it is. I hope we can get that tied up, I really do,” added Bruce.
“But, they’ve got the power these days, the players. We see it often now with young players as well. I hope there’s a bit of common sense.
“There’s nobody, at 19, played more games than him. He’s got an opportunity.”
Sean Longstaff, 22, has established himself as a first-team regular in the heart of the Magpies midfield since making his debut at the start of the 2017-18 season.
Young brother Matty, 19, burst onto the scene in October last year when he scored the winner on his Premier League debut against Manchester United at St James’ Park.
The academy graduates have made 32 appearances between them so far this season, with the Magpies defying pre-season predictions of a battle against relegation to sit 12th in the table, seven points clear of the bottom three.
They are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions since a 3-0 defeat at home to Leicester on New Year’s Day.
They take on League One side Oxford United in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday, with Bruce confirming both Longstaff brothers will start the game at the Kassam Stadium.
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Serie A is supposedly making moves for both brothers, strange but very much true.
@Fr Romeo sensini.: both Milan clubs are in for Matty
Ridiculous fees being rumoured for what at the end of the day are a pair of ginger nuts!
But they are only kids, can people not lay off them and let them develop away from first team action. Swear to god these numpties that don’t understand how important playing first team football as early as possible is to a players development is success me crazy. Once they are able they need to be constantly pushed, constantly challenged to get better. Parrott will never fulfill uis potential unless he finds a club that will give him his chance and that club is not spurs
@Dino Baggio: both Sean and Matty Longstaff played zero senior professional games at 17, the age of Troy Parrott.
@The Bloody Nine: Troy Parrott is actually 18
@Gareth Keenan: today’s his birthday! Point still stands though, when compared to the Longstaffs.
@The Bloody Nine: they aren’t half as talented as he is either
@The Bloody Nine: chances are he won’t have played much by the time he hits 19 next year abs 20 the year after too and utd rare someone breaks it after that and becomes a world class player which troy had the potential to be.
@Dino Baggio: Harry Kane didn’t get his chance at Spurs until he was 20, and a couple of loan moves behind him. Mad that an Irish Dino Baggio impersonator thinks he knows more than one of the greatest managers the game has seen.
@The Bloody Nine: Harry is one of the few players that have gone on and fulfilled (maybe even surpassed) expectations after only getting in the first team as a 20 year old. I don’t recall him being anywhere near as prodigious as Parrott either
Sean heading utd in the summer apparently?
@Paully Kells: hopefully not
Matt was linked with United but Sean looks to be the better player.
@Nic Antonio: other way round!