Steve Bruce has THREE big Newcastle United decisions to make during the Premier League winter break

Newcastle’s best back three

Even when injuries have occured at the back, the Magpies have always remained defensively solid and that is down to their excellent personnel.

Taking Paul Dummett out of the equation due to a long-term injury, Bruce now has five fully fit defenders, all of which can feel rightly hard done if left out the starting 11.

Federico Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark have started the previous three league, while Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune have impacted the FA Cup games and the Everton comeback.

One thing that remains certain is Bruce is blessed in that department and deciding who to start is a pleasant selection headache.

The wing-backs

With the arrival of Valentino Lazaro and Danny Rose and time to work with them both on the training pitch, a call needs to be had there.

Matt Ritchie is undoubtedly one of the squad’s biggest grafters and adds a direct dimension to Newcastle with his wicked left foot.

Rose, however, will add that extra pace to United’s attack, one of the few things that Ritchie is perhaps lacking.

On the right side, with Javier Manquillo out for a little while longer, it is a straight race between new signing Lazaro and DeAndre Yedlin.

Bruce might view Lazaro as a player who makes a greater impact up the pitch but it’s clear to see Yedlin’s vulnerabilities. Isaac Hayden, anyone?

Sean Longstaff at number 10

Longstaff was played just behind Joelinton at Oxford and it proved a stroke of genius by Bruce.

The 22-year-old helped himself to a goal and provided added support to Joelinton - even notching the assist for his second goal.

Even when the Brazillian hobbled off, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximum combined terrifically, though just lacked the finishing touch.

Importantly, at times when Longstaff has been criticised for his performances this season, the number 10 role seemingly brings out the best in him.