Eddie Howe confirms midfielder will leave Newcastle United this month after clause triggered

Newcastle United have triggered the recall clause in Isaac Hayden's loan at Standard Liege.

The Belgian Pro League club confirmed that the 28-year-old midfielder's season-long loan was cut short this week in a brief statement.

"The English club has activated the recall clause provided for in the loan contract of Isaac Hayden who therefore returns to Newcastle," the statement read.

"Standard de Liège wishes Isaac all the best for the rest of his professional career."

Hayden made 11 appearances in all competitions for Liege but has made just one start since a 6-0 defeat to Royal Antwerp on November 11 and wasn't part of the squad for the 3-3 friendly draw with Borussia Dortmund last weekend.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe confirmed the club's plans for Hayden after cutting his loan deal short. "I think Isaac will go back on loan, possibly somewhere else," Howe told The Gazette. "I'm slightly unsure [if there is a deal lined up]."

A proposed summer deadline day move for Hayden by Sheffield Wednesday fell through before his loan to Liege but the Championship club are understood to have retained an interest in the former Arsenal man. Plymouth Argyle, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Sheffield United have also been linked.

Hayden still has 18 months left on his contract at Newcastle but hasn't featured for the first-team since a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in December 2021. He spent time on loan at Norwich City in the Championship last season but wasn't able to trigger a performance-related obligation to buy clause in his deal after an injury-hit campaign.