Steve Bruce explains Isaac Hayden decision after Newcastle United defeat

Hayden – who suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester United last month – was an unused substitute last night as Newcastle United were beaten 2-0 by Southampton.

Bruce, instead, sent on Matty Longstaff, Andy Carroll and Joelinton as his team trailed to Che Adams’ early goal. Newcastle couldn’t get an equaliser, and Stuart Armstrong put the game beyond the visitors with a late strike.

MIdfielder Longstaff was making his first appearance since July, having missed the start of the season because of a thigh injury.

Asked why he kept Hayden on the bench, head coach Bruce said: “I just thought we needed a goal, and we needed a bit more going forward. I thought Matty could give us a bit more going forward.

"We hope that Isaac is now fully recovered. I went with the team because of how well we played (against Everton). I could have picked five or six different ones today. We were nowhere near the level we were a week ago.

"My biggest disappointment is the inconsistency. Unfortunately, it’s plagued us for the 15 months I’ve been here.

“To play in the Premier League, and be successful at it, you have to reach a level, and of course you don’t get to those levels all the time, but there has to be not a huge gulf like there was today.

"That’s the upsetting thing for me. Make no mistake, I’ll do everything I can to ask the question why.”

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