Ex-Sunderland striker labels 24-year-old Newcastle United midfielder situation a 'weird one'

Speaking to Football Insider, former England striker Darren Bent offered his thoughts on Issac Hayden and his time St James’ Park with West Ham reportedly monitoring the 24-year-old.

Bent said: “Isaac Hayden is a weird one, I think he has done okay, but I wouldn’t say he has been one of their best players. He hasn’t become so important that Newcastle can’t live without him as I think they can.

“But yeah it’s surprising that West Ham are linked to another holding midfield player,” the former Tottenham man added.

Hayden joined the Magpies from Arsenal in 2016 and is under contract until 2021.

In other news, Jermain Jenas has revealed how Alan Shearer celebrated Miquel Almiron’s first goal for Newcastle United on Saturday.

“He [Shearer] was up celebrating when Almiron scored,” Jenas told BBC Radio 5Live. “There he is [Shearer cheers in the background whilst Jenas is conducting his interview] as you can hear in the background. He was delighted.

“It was actually nice to see. I have played in teams with certain players that they attach themselves and the affinity for them grows within the fans, within the changing room. He works his socks off.

“Out of the chances, out of all the chances he has had all season, brilliant strike from inside the box. There was that whole feeling of like jubilation and I know St James' Park would have gone wild.”