Steve Bruce gives update on Isaac Hayden's Newcastle United future

Bruce felt that Hayden put in his best performance yet for him in Sunday’s 3-0 behind-closed-doors home win over Sheffield United.

Hayden’s future at St James’s Park has been in doubt for almost two years, as the midfielder first asked to leave the club in the summer of 2018 for family reasons.

Then-manager Rafa Benitez blocked moves for the midfielder, under contract until next summer, in successive transfer windows, and there have since been discussions over a new deal at United.

Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Martin Dubravka have all agreed new deals this season, but Hayden’s contractual situation remains unresolved.

Asked if he wanted Hayden to commit his long-term future to Newcastle, head coach Bruce said: “I sincerely hope he does (sign a new deal). I thought it was Isaac's best performance under me since I've been at the club. That didn't surprise me, because when we came back in, he was in terrific shape, battling to go.

“I've said from day one that I'd love Isaac to stay. He's the sort of type the club's been built around since the Championship, but, obviously, there's personal circumstances that he's got, and we'll keep plugging away and see what we can do.”

Hayden asked for a transfer so he could be with his infant daughter Ariana, who was in a London hospital after being born prematurely.

Bruce also managed Hayden at Hull City, and the 25-year-old welcomed his appointment last summer.