Murphy has been on the periphery of Newcastle's first team this season rather than going out on loan
Alex Murphy in action for Newcastle against Qarabag
Alex Murphy in action for Newcastle against Qarabag(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
View Image
Newcastle United youngster Alex Murphy has admitted he would rather be out on loan playing games regularly as opposed to being on the fringes of the Magpies team.
Murphy has made five appearances for United this season and was handed his first start to the club in their 3-2 win over Qarabag in the Champions League last month.
But since exclusively stepping up to the first team squad this season, he has been an unused substitute on 34 occasions across the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League.
And while he is 'delighted' to be involved in such an exciting season, he reasoned 'any player would be fuming' to be on the bench for such a consistent period of time.
"If it was my choice, I’d be somewhere else playing games but it’s not always down to you," Murphy told the Irish Examiner. "You must accept that, keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully the chance will come.
"It’s good to say that you’re a Premier League player and be in the squads every week but as a player you want to play in games. Any player would be fuming to be on the bench for every game. It’s nice for a while but does wear off.
"I’m delighted to be at Newcastle United, have no complaints about being there. It’s just wanting to play."
Get Chronicle Premium now for just £1HERE– exclusive news and features, our NUFC and Academy notebooks, plus an ad-lite experience
Murphy joined Newcastle as a teenager from Galway United back in 2022 and spent the second half of last season on loan in League One with Bolton Wanderers.
He still has two years remaining on his contract at St James' Park beyond this season and he admits he has a decision to make over his future in the summer as to whether he seeks a loan move next term or continues his development on Tyneside.
"Yeah, especially after not playing much this season," Murphy said when asked if he has a dilemma over his future this summer. "I know it’s not over yet but you just want to have a full season of games. I’m still young enough to learn and get as much experience.
"I actually moved up to the first-team dressing room a few years ago. That’s massive for any young player at the start, being just grateful to be there, but the longer it goes on, you just want to break into the team eventually.
"Newcastle could easily have brought another left-back in behind Lewis Hall but they trusted me. I played a lot in pre-season and thought I did well. But it’s not easy when you’ve a player like Lewis in front of you.
"I would have tried harder to get out on loan if I thought I didn’t have a chance. But I always knew that if I keep pushing I might actually break through. I’m still hoping to do that."
Murphy will hope to get some valuable game time this week with Ireland's under-21 side as they take on Moldova and Kazakhstan in their European Championship qualifiers.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image