Newcastle United man undergoes knee operation after devastating injury blow

Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff is on the road to recovery after undergoing knee surgery.

The Magpies academy graduate has been sidelined since Boxing Day whilst appearing on loan for Colchester United in their 1-0 win at Gillingham.

Longstaff is out of contract this summer but United have vowed to help the 23-year-old through his recovery.

Asked about Longstaff’s recovery, head coach Eddie Howe said: "Matty’s here. I think he’s just had another operation on his knee, just a very minor one, to fix a problem. We’re hopeful that he’s on the road to recovery.

“I saw him on a bike, an assault bike, the other day. Anyone who’s done them knows how tough they are, and he’s there using his arm and giving his all for about half an hour.

“An incredible example of his attitude to his recovery, so he’s giving everything he can to get back."

Sean Longstaff, who is in a race to play again this season after picking up a foot injury in the 4-1 win at Everton last month, revealed Howe told him the club would look after his brother.

“It was Leicester on Boxing Day, we won 3-0, and I came in the dressing room, looked at my phone – and saw he’d come on 85 and was off again at 89,” Longstaff said in March. “Everyone was celebrating, but my head was thinking about him.

“To be fair, I spoke to the doc, and then the manager came over, and said ‘don’t worry, we’ll look after him’ – and put my mind at ease.

“I know he’ll get to the level he deserves. He’s a top player. There aren’t many players who have done what he has at his age in the Premier League. Unfortunately, Covid came – and it wasn’t meant to be.”

Longstaff has made 20 senior appearances for his boyhood club - the last being a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in January 2021 under Steve Bruce.

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