Newcastle United midfielders Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff are among the highest rated performers when it comes to work rate in training under Rafael Benitez, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that the central duo, who formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park before the homegrown starlet’s season ending injury, are two of the hardest working players among the squad in a detailed look at the club’s analysis behind-the-scenes.
It is stated that Longstaff’s performances on the training pitch were so impressive that it stopped him moving to Portsmouth, manager Rafael Benitez instead choosing to keep him on board for this season.
Opinion
You know you are doing something right when the manager chooses to keep you on board instead of shipping you out and it seems that Portsmouth’s loss was Newcastle’s gain. The young midfielder has obviously taken his form and hard work that he has shown on the training pitch and translated them into top quality performances on a match day. It was gutting for the Toon Army to see him sidelined for the rest of the campaign and the only silver lining is that they have something to look forward to when pre-season comes around. He really could be one of the most exciting homegrown prospects the Magpies have seen come through their ranks in some time and considering the dearth of youth talent which they have produced, it is no surprise he has quickly found his way into the hearts of the St James’ Park faithful. Long may it continue on Tyneside.