Eddie Howe has many big decisions to make now we are in the second half of the January transfer window, hence the influx of Newcastle transfer news. One big decision he needs to make involves Isaac Hayden and his immediate future.
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Newcastle transfer news: Eddie Howe to send Isaac Hayden out on loan despite injuries
For those who haven't heard, the English midfielder returned earlier than expected from his loan spell at Standard Liege, where he struggled to get a consistent run of game time. Since he has returned, there has been talk about Eddie Howe terminating the midfielder's contract, but it turns out he may be playing the long-game instead.
According to a new report from Northern Echo which quotes Eddie Howe himself, the decision will be for Newcastle to send Isaac Hayden back out on loan, despite their own respective injury concerns. Here's what Howe had to say on Hayden's immediate future:
“I think Isaac will go back on loan, possibly somewhere else, although I’m slightly unsure (if there is a deal already lined up).”
This is a good decision, in my opinion. Terminating a player's contract based on a bad loan spell is an irrational idea at the best of times, worse still when you factor in our midfield concerns. Although Isaac Hayden isn't the best player in the world and has done little to convince Howe otherwise, a successful second half of the season elsewhere may be the best option to make a final decision come the end of the season.
In my opinion, Hayden is Championship-level at the moment. Therefore, sending him out on loan to a second-tier English side would be best for Eddie Howe to keep a close eye on his development, but come the end of the season, if he isn't up to scratch then he should be sold.
What do you make of today's Newcastle transfer news involving Isaac Hayden?