'Desperate' - Newcastle United midfielder U-turn after being left out of Premier League squad

The 29-year-old has not featured for Newcastle’s first-team in almost three years after being frozen out by Eddie Howe. The only time Hayden has represented the club since December 2021 was when the under-21s beat Halifax Town in the National League Cup six weeks ago.

Having failed to secure a move away from St James’ Park in the summer, Hayden’s career has come to standstill. However, he was handed an international lifeline on Saturday when he was officially called up to the Jamaica for their two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against the USA.

Hayden represented England at under-16s level all the way through to under-21s but decided to switch his allegiances following a visit to Montego Bay last month. It is understood the player qualifies to represent Jamaica through his father.

He will be managed by former Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren and play alongside Premier League stars such as Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock, Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey and West Ham United’s Michail Antonio.

McClaren said: “There is Isaac Hayden, who I think the JFF had been chasing for quite some time. I’ve had two or three calls with him since I took the job.

"He is desperate to play because he is in that stage in his career where he needs to kick on, and this is one of the ways that he can. He is a welcome addition to our squad, in terms of a genuine number six who has played at the highest level in that position.”

Hayden has made 171 appearances for United, whom he remains under contract at until 2026, since joining from Arsenal in 2016. He spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Norwich City before temporary spells at Standard Liege and Queens Park Rangers last season.

The midfielder isn’t eligible to feature for the Magpies’ first-team after being left out of their 25-man Premier League squad.