Neither Jacob Murphy nor Isaac Hayden were named in the matchday squad for the 2-1 defeat to Spurs last weekend, leading to Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh to ask questions about the pair’s future at the club.
While the former is behind Kenedy, Matt Ritchie and Christian Atsu for a place on the wing, the latter handed in a transfer request earlier this summer for personal reasons.
I asked fans whether they think either will leave on loan before the close of the Championship window on August 31st. Two-thirds believe both players will be staying put:
Rafa Benitez doesn’t have a lot of depth in his squad, to begin with, so it would be a big surprise if either were let go. I have no doubt that Hayden will get games this season with the limited options available to the manager in the centre of midfield.
Murphy’s game time does look like it could be more limited with cup competitions likely to be his best chance of starting matches during the early months of the campaign.