'I think' - Eddie Howe confirms likely Newcastle United January exit after clause activated

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe expects Isaac Hayden to leave on loan again this month.

The 28-year-old joined Standard Liege in September after moves to Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday fell through during the final week of the summer transfer window.

Hayden went on to make 11 appearances for the Belgian outfit but missed four of the last five matches. A 32-word club statement by Liege on Thursday afternoon confirmed Newcastle had activated a clause to recall him.

It read: "The English club have activated the recall clause in Isaac Hayden's loan contract. This means he will return to Newcastle. Standard de Liege wishes Isaac the best in his further professional career."

It comes just days after Liege CEO Pierre Locht labelled Hayden's short spell as "inconsistent". Locht told Belgian outlet La Derniere Heure (as relayed by Sport Witness): "It’s likely that he won’t come back, yes.

"We wanted a player who brought an immediate superior quality to the team. Isaac had a lot of experience in the Premier League. He’s a true number six, capable of settling the game, a stable element. But, in the image of the team, he had some good games but was then too inconsistent.”

Hayden, however, isn't expected to be back on Tyneside for long with Howe confirming the intention is to loan him out for the second half of the campaign.

“I think Isaac will go back on loan, possibly somewhere else," said Howe. "I'm slightly unsure [if there is a deal lined up].”

As per the Daily Telegraph, Hayden has attracted interest from Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle.

Hayden was signed by Rafa Benitez in 2016 and during his first season helped Newcastle win the Championship title. The midfielder has made 171 appearances for United, though last featured in December 2021 after being left out of the 25-man squad for the second half of the 21-22 campaign.