This Newcastle United player's sublime pass has got fans talking

Stoke City beat Steve Bruce’s side 1-0 at St James’s Park yesterday. The behind-closed-doors game wasn’t live streamed, and the media were not allowed inside the stadium.

However, United tweeted several clips from the game – and one, in particular, got fans talking.

It showed midfielder Dan Barlaser, handed a start by injury-hit head coach Steve Bruce, hitting a ball from deep in his own half to the feet of winger Jacob Murphy as he raced towards the visiting box. It was inch-perfect. Murphy’s shot, however, was straight at Jack Butland.

The pass saw Barlaser compared with Jonjo Shelvey, who missed the game through injury.

Barlaser, certainly, has come back stronger from a successful loan at League One club Rotherham United last season, and Bruce pointed to his performance against Stoke as a “positive".

“It was a wonderful opportunity for the young ones, Murphy and Barlaser in particular, they didn’t do themselves any harm,” said Newcastle’s head coach. “There’s always something positive.”

Barlaser – who signed a contract extension this summer – could now be involved in Saturday’s Premier League season-opener against West Ham United.

The 23-year-old, an intelligent footballer, has always had a good range of passing – and the ability to pick out a team-mate from deep – but he now looks physically ready for the rigours of top-flight football.

Barlaser’s last first-team appearance came in a Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest at St James’s Park three years ago.