Sean Longstaff is set to be handed a reward for his sparkling Newcastle United form with contract talks well under way. The midfielder, once on the scrapheap at St James’ Park, is now an instrumental part of Eddie Howe’s plans and will extend his stay on Tyneside with a significantly improved deal.
Longstaff only put pen to paper on a new contract in 2022 but will again be offered revised terms after improving even further since committing his future in Howe’s first campaign at the club. The academy graduate enjoyed the perfect Champions League evening on Wednesday, scoring at the Gallowgate End as European football returned to Tyneside.
As well as trying to pin Longstaff down on a new contract, there has also been talks with Joelinton’s entourage. The Brazilian, also contracted until 2025, will receive a huge pay rise. Bruno Guimaraes’ eagerly-awaited new deal is also expected to be confirmed in the near future.
Speaking about keeping Longstaff and Joelinton at the club, Howe said last month: “We want to try and build up the squad and that doesn’t mean we take for granted keeping the players that we already have. We have to give them the right environment to want to stay and hopefully, we have. Obviously, finances comes into that as well. They are two huge players for us.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Champions League hero Sean Longstaff after reaching out to the Newcastle United midfielder for advice in recent years.
Carragher shared the surprising story live on TNT Sports after Newcastle’s 4-1 win over PSG, explaining how he and Longstaff had become acquainted due to a knee issue picked up by Carragher’s son, James, who currently plays for Wigan Athletic.
The young defender, 20, has suffered two serious injuries in as many years, stunting his development at the Latics. Longstaff suffered a similar problem during Rafa Benitez’s time at the club before overcoming the setback to revive his Newcastle career under Eddie Howe.
Once on the scrapheap on Tyneside, the academy graduate is now an instrumental part of his side and Carragher believes his current success is a fitting reward for all the help he has offered James in recent times.
“I just wanted to mention, Sean, how long ago was it I gave you a call? 12 months ago?” Carragher said at full-time. “Basically my son’s going through a few injury problems and he’d [Sean] been through similar ones. I didn’t know him but got hold of his number and we stayed in touch
“[He was] brilliant on the phone you know and we spoke about basically as a footballer you have ups and downs and you get the rewards if you put your work in. And tonight, mate, this is your reward for one, coming through the injury but also the help that you give me and my son.”
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says that Callum Wilson and Joelinton are ‘close’ to a recall against West Ham United. But the game will come too early for Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon is suspended for the encounter at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
When asked about availability for the battle with the Irons, Howe said: “The injury list doesn’t look great but apart from Harvey Barnes there isn’t anything long term there.
