Sean Longstaff looks to have been frozen out by Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce.
In the 11-game stretch between Everton’s visit to St James’ Park at the start of November and the trip to Sheffield United on 12 January, the elder Longstaff brother made nine starts (via Transfermarkt).
He saw out the 90 minutes on all of those occasions.
But ever since that dismal defeat at Bramall Lane, Longstaff hasn’t had a look in.
After a six-game spell out of the squad altogether, he has assumed the role of unused substitute.
Earlier this month, Football Insider reported that the omission of the 23-year-old, along with his younger brother Matty, had left a section of the Newcastle squad vexed.
Newcastle fans debating line-up ahead of critical Brighton clash
On Saturday night, Newcastle face perhaps the biggest game of their season so far away to relegation rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.
And journalist Liam Kennedy, who covers the club, has called for Longstaff to be restored to the line-up at the Amex Stadium, with Jonjoe Shelvey dropping out.
“Sean’s worse than Shelvey, at least Shelvey has 2 or 3 good games per season”
“For me this system is better suited to Matty, we need mobility and Jonjo and Sean don’t offer that!”
“I genuinely disagree, Sean has been awful this season. Jonjo has been better playing at the bottom of the diamond”
“Have to say I don’t rate Sean at all Liam. Willock is there to do that job. I’d have Hayden, with Matty in the middle, Willock in the 10 spot with Murphy and Fraser out wide and Carroll up top. Manquillo in for Krafth, I’m telling you that will win the game tonight but he won’t do it.”
“I’d rather play Matty Longstaff, can’t see him changing Shelvey though Liam”
“I’d rather play Elliot Anderson than any of them. The lad is hungry and plays without fear, get him in there.”
“Liam, his form was woeful and a shadow of the player he was, slow, easily dispossessed and not a justified selection, so unless he has improved dramatically, got to go with Shelvey, our only creative midfielder”