Newcastle United hand new deals to two senior players

Steve Bruce spoke about securing a number of players on new deals after taking charge last summer, and the Gazette understands that midfielder Shelvey and winger Ritchie, under contract until 2021, have agreed new deals. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka signed a new six-year deal in November.

Shelvey, sidelined with a hamstring problem, spoke about his contractual situation late last year.

The 27-year-old said: “I’m playing for a new contract now. I want to stay here, and hopefully a contract will be sorted.”

Shelvey had reiterated his commitment to the club last summer in an interview with the Gazette in China.

Bruce gave an update on stalled contract talks with midfielders Sean and Matty Longstaff ahead of this afternoon’s game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

“Matt is the most important one, because his deal runs out,” said United’s head coach. “Obviously, he’s got advisers, who’ll be advising one thing. I’m desperate for him to stay, but there’s got to be ground given on both sides, I would’ve thought, but, at the minute, we can't get there.”

Bruce also spoke of “conversations” with defenders Federico Fernandez and Javier Manquillo, whose deals expire in the summer.

“All of those things will now start to run now the transfer window has ended,” said Bruce.

“These last two, three, four months, (there are) conversations to be had. Fed is another one who has played very, very well for me, so has Manquillo. They’re both (out of contract), and conversations will be had.”

Meanwhile, striker Andy Carroll – who re-signed for the club last summer – is out of contract in the summer. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since the middle of last month with a hip problem.

Asked when a decision would be made on Carroll’s future, Bruce said: “The big thing is to get him fit and see. Let’s hope we can get him right. We can’t put a timescale on it, because we thought he was going to be all right for Arsenal, but then he had a setback, unfortunately.”