'Just ask' - Newcastle United midfielder furiously hits out at 'nonsense' contract clause claim

Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has furiously fired back at claims there is an option to cut short his Standard Liege loan in January.

The 28-year-old joined the Belgian outfit on a season-long loan deal in September after moves to Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday fell through during the final week of the summer transfer window.

Hayden has gone on to make 10 appearances but has missed the last four games, which has prompted speculation regarding his future.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, as replayed by Sport Witness, believes Hayden is struggling to settle.

Tavolieri also claims "he has clauses in his loan contract that will allow him to go back and train with Newcastle if he wants to, so he could go back as early as January and leave Standard Liege.”

Hayden, however, has publicly responded to Tavolieri and called him out for "spreading nonsense".

Posting on X, the former Arsenal man said: "Instead of spreading nonsense, just ask the club or myself instead of speculation. It's not difficult."

After returning from last season's loan spell at Norwich City, Hayden trained away from Eddie Howe’s first-team over the summer before jumping at the opportunity to move to Belgium.

Speaking previously about the move, Hayden said: “I had options in England, but as I got older I wanted to try something different. I will be 29 at the end of the season. It was the right time for me to try a new championship, a new challenge.

“With no disrespect to the Championship, I think I’m better than that when I’m at my best. I have played for three of the best teams in the division, I know what I can do when I am fit and I preferred to change leagues to continue performing at a high level.

“I was playing every game for Newcastle, got injured and didn’t play again. Things can happen very quickly in football. My focus is only on Standard and we’ll see if one day I want to return to England.”

Hayden was signed by Rafa Benitez in 2016 and in his first season helped Newcastle win the Championship title.

In total, he has made 171 appearances for Uniteed, though last featured in December 2021 after being left out of the 25-man squad for the second half of the 21-22 campaign. He’s still under contract at St James’ Park until 2026.