‘I want to’ - Newcastle United defender signed by PIF could ask Eddie Howe to leave

Signed in 2022, first-team action has been hard to come by for the 20-year-old since arriving from Galway United. Murphy joined alongside a string of promising youngsters - including Australian international Garang Kuol - shortly into Dan Ashworth’s reign as sporting director.

The Irishman has excelled at under-23 level and was drafted into the matchday squad for the FA Cup clash with Bromley. However, Murphy was an unused substitute as Newcastle coasted to a 3-1 win, a potential sign that his pathway to the starting line-up remains difficult.

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A loan move to gain experience may be an option before the window slams shut on January 31. Speaking to the club’s matchday programme, the versatile defender admitted he is chomping at the bit for professional action.

“I want to play as many senior minutes as I can, whether that is here or somewhere else for the year,” Murphy said. “I want to get as many games under my belt as possible and then, hopefully, the aim is to play here every week.

“I want to show what I can do in men’s football and I feel I am at that stage to do that. A year or two ago, I wanted the same thing but then I got called up into Newcastle’s first team and you didn’t care about that because you were getting that experience here and training with the squad. 

“I’m at that point where I need to go out and play every week, showing what I can do. But we’ll see what happens.”