Newcastle United fans send clear message to Steve Bruce following Isaac Hayden's season-ending injury

The Magpies head coach has a big void to fill for the remainder of the campaign, beginning with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, following Isaac Hayden‘s season-ending knee injury.

Presuming the 60-year-old sticks with the same system and personnel, four options are presented to him – the Longstaff brothers, Jeff Hendrick or Elliot Anderson.

On Twitter yesterday, in a snap poll, we asked supporters the question: “With Hayden out for the rest of the season, who would you like to see replace him in midfield?”

And the result was fairly comprehensive with Matty, younger brother of Sean, receiving 56.8% of the votes. Sean ranked as second choice with 26.7%.

Anderson picked up 14.4% of the votes and to highlight how deeply unpopular Hendrick is with the United fanbase at present, just 2.1% believe the former Burnley man should be called upon.

That said, a number of fans were quick to point out that they fully expect Hendrick, fresh from international duty with the Republic of Ireland, to start against Tottenham.

Matty Longstaff hasn’t featured for Newcastle since January 18 in a 3-0 defeat away to Arsenal.

Indeed, fans feel both Longstaffs have been harshly treated by Bruce.

Four out of Matty’s five Premier League appearances this season came over the Christmas period against Manchester City, Liverpool, Leicester and the Gunners.

Sean, meanwhile, was banished from the starting XI for 11 consecutive fixtures before playing the final quarter of an hour in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion last time out.

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