Steve Bruce signing admits there’s a ‘strong possibility’ he’ll leave Newcastle United

Jeff Hendrick admits there is a “strong possibility” he’ll leave Newcastle United this summer.

The Republic of Ireland international spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Queens Park Rangers after being overlooked by Eddie Howe.

Hendrick played just 10 minutes of football - a substitute appearance at home to Manchester City - under Howe following his appointment as head coach in November.

Starting the season with Steve Bruce in charge, the 30-year-old played only two Premier League games, although did score during the 2-1 defeat at Wolves in October.

Hendrick was left out of the club’s 25-man squad at the end of January and loaned to QPR. A hamstring tweak restricted the midfielder to 10 appearances.

The former Burnley man has been told to report to pre-season by Howe but knows he’s unlikely to remain on Tyneside beyond the summer.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff are above Hendrick in the pecking order.

‘It’s about being realistic’ - Hendrick on his Newcastle future

“I don’t know if it will be a fresh start,” Hendrick told reporters in Ireland.

“Newcastle have done really well and brought some good players in and I can admit their midfield is very strong with the additions in January.

“I’m not the club, I’m not doing the buying or whatever, but I’d imagine they will strengthen the whole squad again in the summer.

“For me it’s about being realistic and being prepared that I might need to go somewhere else for games.

“I have two years left at Newcastle.

“For me, I’m ready to go back on 1 July and start training and if I need to go and get games, I will do that. It’s something I want to do, I always want to play games and I’ll wait and see.”

Asked if he may have played his last game for Newcastle, Hendrick replied: “Yeah, I’d say it’s a possibility. Things can change, football is crazy like that, but it’s a strong possibility, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Hendrick, currently on international duty and preparing for ROI’s Nations League fixture against Armenia, has made 27 appearances for United since joining on a free transfer from Burnley in 2020.