Eddie Howe hints at the TWO Newcastle United players who could be on the move in January

For all the talk of potential incomings, Newcastle United also have a few of their players’ futures to address.

Matty Longstaff’s development, much like it did under Steve Bruce, has stalled at Aberdeen, while Eddie Howe currently has four senior goalkeepers to select from.

What’s going on with Matty Longstaff at Aberdeen?

Longstaff, having not played a competitive game for Newcastle in six months, was loaned to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen for regular game time in August.

However, out of the Dons’ 15 league games, the 20-year-old has appeared just five times, only three of which were starts.

What have Aberdeen said about Matty Longstaff’s situation?

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass, who played for Newcastle between 1998-2001, hinted that Longstaff has underperformed so far.

He said: “I think, clearly, Matty would’ve liked more game time, clearly we would’ve liked better performances.

“There’s a lot of games coming in December with a lot of opportunities for a good number of our players and Matty comes under that umbrella.”

“That’s not a decision that we take,” Glass said, when asked if Longstaff could return to Newcastle in January.

“He’s here on loan, there’s a parent club and there’s us and there’s discussions that have to happen.”

What has Eddie Howe said about Matty Longstaff’s situation?

Howe is keen to chat to Longstaff ahead of a potential recall in January.

“Matty Longstaff’s situation, yes I’m aware of,” Howe said.

“I would encourage a conversation between Matty just to see what his thought processes are and we’ll re-evaluate that one closer to January.”

What next for Matty Longstaff?

Longstaff is under contract at Newcastle until next summer after signing a one-year extension before his temporary move north of the border.

The view was the midfielder would spend the season at Aberdeen and then be handed a chance to impress during the next pre-season on Tyneside.

Indeed, that could still happen. Either Longstaff’s fortunes turn in Scotland or he is recalled and potentially loaned to a Championship club amid plenty of summer interest.

It is unlikely a recall would spark a place in Howe’s first-team plans, not least with Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock, Isaac Hayden, brother Sean and Jeff Hendrick fighting for spots.

What else could happen in January?

Well, bar the obvious of signing players, Howe also hinted that Freddie Woodman could leave on loan.

Woodman had agreed to sign for Bournemouth in the summer before Martin Dubravka’s foot injury, and Karl Darlow’s Covid-19 absence.

Howe said: “In terms of the goalkeepers, I think we’ve got a really talented group of goalkeepers.

“It was unfortunate that both of the experienced goalkeepers were injured and probably meant opportunities for one of the younger guys to go out on loan was potentially stopped.

“That is something we’ll evaluate in January. You don’t want to harm anyone’s development.”