Steve Bruce hoping for breakthrough at Newcastle United as talks drag on

Matty Longstaff is out of contract at Newcastle United at the end of the season – and discussions over a new deal have been going on for months. The midfielder broke into Bruce’s first-team squad in the summer and memorably scored against Manchester United on his Premier League debut.

Asked for an update on contract talks, head coach Bruce said: “No update on Matty. Hopefully good news in New Year.”

Longstaff is keen to commit to United, his boyhood club. Speaking in October, the 19-year-old said: “Obviously, I want to stay at Newcastle. But the biggest thing for me is just to carry on playing well, and that will take care of itself.”

Meanwhile, Longstaff’s elder brother Sean, 22, is also in discussions over a new deal at St James’s Park.