Former Newcastle United and current Jamaica boss Steve McClaren has urged Isaac Hayden to find a new club in January after making his debut for the Reggae Boyz over the last international break.
Hayden has been training with our U21s since returning from last season’s loan spell at QPR and hasn’t featured in the first team since a 4-0 defeat to Man City almost three years ago.
The tough-tackling midfielder has got no future under Eddie Howe and clearly needs a move to get his club and international career back on track, but he’s contracted to Newcastle until 2026 and may need to take a pay-cut in the New Year to leave for good.
Hayden featured in Jamaica’s recent defeats to the USA in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals, but McClaren has suggested that a move away from Newcastle’s reserves is essential ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
“(Isaac) realises that he’s in the reserves at Newcastle,” said McClaren. “He needs a club in January. This is as much about the March (international) window, the summer window, and the next World Cup window as it is this window.
“Every player needs a cause. Every player needs motivation, and his motivation is to get back playing at the level he was three or four years ago. To be able to commit to Jamaica and, hopefully, to another club in January will only make him better.”
Hayden has been linked with Championship duo West Brom and Watford, while a return to QPR has also been touted, but it’s doubtful that any of those sides could match his current wages at Newcastle.
As a result, a termination of his current deal could be explored by Toon chiefs if a financial agreement can be reached that allows the former Arsenal talent to leave on a free transfer in January.
