Steve Bruce facing decision time on Jacob Murphy and Dan Barlaser at Newcastle United

Murphy and Barlaser spent last season away from Newcastle United on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United respectively.

The pair have played a full part in pre-season on Tyneside, but they may not make Bruce’s 25-man Premier League squad, which must be named once the transfer window closes.

Rotherham manager Paul Warne has told the Yorkshire Post of his keenness to re-sign Barlaser, while 25-year-old Murphy is interesting a number of clubs, including Wednesday.

"We have to make big decisions on the two young ones – Jacob Murphy and Dan Barlaser,” said United's head coach. "They’ve both done OK.

"I have to make a decision. Are they going to get game-time? And if they aren't, then we’ll have to let them out again. They’ve done very well."

"There comes a time – in a month – when I have to pick 22 (outfield) players, and, at the minute, we have something like 28. Unfortunately, there’ll be people who won't make it. That's what we've got."

Barlaser, 23, impressed on loan at Rotherham last season, and signed a new deal at Newcastle this summer.

"He's got to an age where he's 23,” said Bruce. "He's not 19 anymore, so does he stay with us and have a career? Or does he have to move on and find a career? Those are the conversations I have to have in the next three weeks."