Isaac Hayden set for return

[ex_pat_magpie]

According to reports below.

Isaac Hayden looks to be heading back to Newcastle United with his Standard Liege loan set to be cut short after only a matter of months. The midfielder wanted a fresh start in Belgium but his career has instead stagnated since his summer Tyneside exit.

Hayden has made 11 appearances so far this term, recently featuring in Liege's 1-1 draw with Sint-Truidense V.V. on December 27th. However, speculation has been rife over a potential return to Newcastle in recent weeks.

One Belgian journalist wrote as much last month, prompting an angry response from Hayden, who replied to a tweet saying: "Instead of spreading nonsense, just ask the club or myself instead of speculation. It's not difficult."

Liege CEO Pierre Locht has now had his say on the matter, confirming a premature Newcastle return is on the cards after Hayden's 'inconsistent' performances in the Jupiler Pro League.

“It’s likely that he won’t come back [to Belgium], yes," he told La Dernière Heure. "We wanted a player who brought an immediate superior quality to the team.

"Isaac had a lot of experience in the Premier League. He’s a true number six, capable of settling the game, a stable element. But, in the image of the team, he had some good games but was then too inconsistent.”

Hayden will no doubt attract interest from suitors in the second tier as he looks for his next project. His return to the north east coincides with Newcastle needing a deep-lying midfielder to plug gaps in front of the defence.

However, when discussing his initial Magpies exit when joining Norwich City on loan, Hayden seemed to accept his time as a Newcastle player was over after falling down the pecking order under Howe.

"As I and some of the lads discussed before the season ended, the club is going in a new direction," told Chronicle Live. "They're going to be spending money and obviously bringing in high quality players. That's all the players want; you want to get better players in that can help you and help to progress the club.

"The most important thing is the club and its progression. So if that means we contribute in a six-year manner or a two-year manner, and I'm speaking for myself here, I'm just happy to contribute in any way I can to move the club forward. When I joined, we were in the Championship and I'm leaving and we've had five years in the Premier League and we're established. That for me is a success. That's the way I look at it."

[PhoneymcRingRing]

Jesus how many other players are out on loan that we thought we gone?

[ex_pat_magpie]

Jesus how many other players are out on loan that we thought we gone?

Although to give him credit, looking at the last paragraph, he realises the situation and accepts the reasons for being moved on.

[PhoneymcRingRing]

He could have got a game in the last couple of months

[ex_pat_magpie]

He could have got a game in the last couple of months

He might still if the injury situation doesn't settle and then improve. The lad still has the right attitude.

[toonozandy]

Things have become so dire here, anything with two legs will be welcomed with open arms! I'm slightly alarmed at how low Eddie Howe now aims in the transfer market, when it will come to bringing in some reinforcements.

[Kal]

He's here until 2026. A sting in the tail from the fat man.

[Jammy89]

He'll be sold to a Chimpo team in summer - I'm 99.9% sure of that.

[Zippity]

Much as I liked him when he was here, it would be quite damning if he appeared in our first team now.

[ex_pat_magpie]

Much as I liked him when he was here, it would be quite damning if he appeared in our first team now.

Unless he had to fill in because of lack of bodies because of injuries.