Newcastle United midfielder's early hint on January loan talks

Longstaff – who made a stunning first-team breakthrough at Newcastle three years ago – joined League Two club on September 1.

The 22-year-old – who had a loan spell at Mansfield Town last season – was impressed by Colchester manager Wayne Brown.

Longstaff told BBC Essex: "I spoke to Newcastle, and the loan team there that they have. They'd mentioned a few days before that there was interest (from Colchester). I knew that they finished the season pretty well last year, with the manager coming in.

"On the last day, I spoke with the manager. There were a few options. But the manager sounded really good in his ideas, and the squad he's built here’s a very good one.

"That kind of made my decision. You want to come somewhere and be in a winning environment. You want to get games in, but, at the same time, you want to get a winning mentality wherever you go. Hopefully, they'll both come together, and it'll work out."

Longstaff, in the final year of his contract at Newcastle, is open to talks over a season-long stay at the club at the turn of the year.

"My focus is winning games, and playing a lot of games for Colchester,” said Longstaff.

"Hopefully, when January comes, and the two teams speak about it, we'll be more open to discussion. But, at the moment, I'm just focused on winning games for Colchester – and helping the team.”