Exclusive: Steve Howey says losing Isaac Hayden would be massive blow for Newcastle | OneFootball

Steve Howey reckons that selling Isaac Hayden would be a major loss for Newcastle.

A knee injury might have forced the midfielder to miss the final nine Premier League games, but the former Arsenal academy graduate had already been one of the Magpies’ better performers in a largely disappointing campaign.

Prior to his season-ended injury, Hayden had started 22 of the 29 league matches, forming a solid partnership with club captain Jonjo Shelvey.

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However, whilst the 26-year-old’s form proved pivotal for Steve Bruce’s side last season, it could land Hayden a move away from St James’ Park.

According to the Daily Mail, Southampton are interested in the midfield man, who penned a six-year contract with the club last September, with Newcastle valuing the Englishman at around £12m.

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Asked whether losing him would be a blow to Bruce, Howey exclusively told Football FanCast:

“Yes, because I think he had a very solid season last season, obviously got injured towards the end. Newcastle cannot afford to lose players without getting players in.

“I understand that it’s a catch twenty-two that the manager might be thinking ‘I need to offload players to get some funds’, but the funds that you get, they’re not going to be massive funds.”

Whilst Hayden might not score the goals like Callum Wilson or have speed like Allan Saint-Maximin, he’s an underrated figure in the middle of the part, proving himself as a vital part of this Newcastle team in recent years.

And at just 26, with the ability to play in several positions, he would be tough to replace for Bruce.