A FORMER Newcastle star “who lived the dream” at his boyhood club is still a regular at the training ground despite now being unemployed.
Sean Longstaff has been tipped for an England call-up by Toon boss Eddie Howe due to his recent displays in both the Premier League and Champions League.
The midfielder, 25, is often cheered on from the stands by his younger brother Matty, 23, and the rest of his family.
However, it could quite easily have been his sibling earning the headlines against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain after his own dramatic breakthrough into the Newcastle first-team.
Matty burst on the scene in October 2019 with a debut man of the match display and the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
He was only earning £850-a-week at the time and a host of big clubs were soon circling as they chased his signature.
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Italian sides Inter Milan and Udinese were both allegedly keen as were French giants Marseille.
Speaking to Sport Bible, Matty said: “Out of nowhere, you suddenly become this hot thing and everyone's talking about you, making offers or seeing whether you’re interested.
“It was a weird one, really. I went from playing U23's football to having clubs from all around the world trying to sign me.”
As his development contract ran out in 2020, Matty was forced to make a decision on his future after three goals in 15 appearances during his maiden campaign.
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He said: “A few teams were sniffing around. Udinese was a deal that got offered but again, it was a weird one.
“At the end of that season, there was Covid. The world just stopped. You never really knew what was going to happen.
“I was in the middle of negotiating contracts. My heart was at Newcastle, though.
“After what I'd just done, there was no way I wanted to leave but Udinese made an offer. We spoke to them but with the pandemic and everything going on, it was a strange time.
“I spoke to other teams but when your heart is with a club, and you're still so young, I just didn't see beyond Newcastle. You think it's going stay like that.”
However, that was when the unfortunate downward spiral that has led to him being unemployed today began after he finally agreed a two-year contract.
A drop in form and injuries restricted his progress and he failed to shine in loan spells at Scottish club Aberdeen and in League Two with Mansfield.
Last season he headed to the fourth tier again to try to reignite his career at Colchester United but he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on Boxing Day.
“You go from being at the top to the bottom,” said Matty. “I guess me and Sean have both experienced that.
“When Sean first came through at Newcastle, he was flying. He was being talked about everywhere and then suddenly he was at the bottom and that was similar to me.
“I came through, did really well and then I was sent out on loan before ending up down at the bottom.
“It's football. It's just one of those things. You have your highs and lows.
“When I was breaking through, I was at the top and at the minute, I'm probably at the bottom with the injury and things but I guess when you're there, there's only one place you can go.
“I'm really motivated to get back. I want to be a top player.”
The Geordie was released by Newcastle in June when his contract expired and now he is loving going there as a fan and watching Sean – but the Magpies have not turned their back on him.
He added: “The club have been unbelievable with me throughout.
“They have allowed me to stay around the place to do all my rehab, which means I've got top physios looking after me every day. If I need extra help on the pitch, the staff will always be there.
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“They'll often ask how I'm getting on mentally, as well, and still treat me like I'm one of their players.
“It just shows how good they are as human beings. They've all played the game and had injuries. They know what it's like.”
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