Steve Bruce names three Newcastle United players battling to play again this season

Midfielders Longstaff and Hayden, sidelined with hamstring injuries, are “touch and go” to play again this season, according to Bruce. However, United’s head coach is “hopeful” striker Andy Carroll – who has a groin problem – will be fit before the end of the campaign.

“Andy, we’re maybe hopeful for, but I think it’s touch or go with Isaac and Sean,” said Bruce. “They both have got grade 1 or grade 2 tears of their hamstrings, so we’ll see. We've got another two weeks after tomorrow, so we’ll see, but it’ll be touch or go.”

Carroll – who re-signed for Newcastle as a free agent last summer – has signed a new one-year deal at St James's Park.

Meanwhile, Bruce fears that defender Ciaran Clark will miss the club’s last four games with an ankle problem.