Steve Bruce reveals what scout told him about Newcastle United's Isaac Hayden

The Newcastle United midfielder has had to fill in at the back at times this season due to injuries and illness.

Hayden started his career as a defender at Arsenal, and Bruce took him on loan to Hull City in the 2015/16 season after Stan Ternant, his chief scout, sent him glowing reports.

“He’s been very valuable because of his versatility, of course, and that helps enormously,” said United’s head coach ahead of Monday night’s Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. “Stan Ternent, my old chief scout – who watched Isaac as a boy when he was at Arsenal – always said his best position, he thought, was at centre-back.

“Certainly when you see him perform the way he did and the way he has done numerous times at centre-back, then it does give you food for thought. He’s also played right-back, which he does very, very well too.

“Look, a manager needs one or two of them, because of the problems he can have either during a game – or when you’re struck down a bit like we have been.”

Bruce was without defenders Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Southampton.

“It’s a long time until Monday, but Clark, definitely (will be available),” said Bruce. “We’re hoping, fingers crossed, with Jamaal and Feddy. So, yeah, two of them are touch and go, and Ciaran Clark will be definitely OK.”

Newcastle are 16th in the Premier League, and 10 points above the relegation zone, ahead of the Chelsea game.

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