Hayden, 30, was not in Eddie Howe’s plans but his circumstances were slightly different.
He told SunSport: “I have sympathy because footballers want to play — but everyone’s got different reasons as to why they find themselves in a so-called ‘bomb squad’.
“It happened to me because I couldn’t find a solution during that summer window which fitted in with what Newcastle also wanted.
“But I had constant contact with Eddie and was given nothing but support.”
Hayden made 187 appearances for Newcastle, won the Championship title in 2017 and had five seasons playing in the Premier League.
But a knee injury in December 2021 sidelined him for 5½ months and Howe later told him he was surplus to requirements.
“And the team had been transformed from one fighting relegation to having top-six form.
“Eddie was honest and said he had five players in front of me. You think to yourself, ‘I know where I stand’. I’d rather that than the manager not talking to me.
“You hear people talk about bomb squads where they isolate you, and that’s horrible — but Eddie and Newcastle didn’t do that.
“We had the conversation as to why he couldn’t name me in the 25-man squad.
“And it’s not as simple as, ‘Why not let him train with the first team?’. If you’re doing an 11 v 11 game and everyone’s fit, you’re not going to be able to train with the group because there are too many players.
So Eddie’s solution for me to train with the Under-23s was better. It meant I could train normally every day — and not by myself.”
Hayden actually embraced that period and even did some coaching.
He said: “The bottom line is you’re getting paid good money by the club as a professional footballer. So you give 100 per cent to them in whatever role you’re in.”
After spending the second half of last season on loan with Portsmouth, Hayden joined QPR permanently in the summer.
And now he is hoping to play for Jamaica at next summer’s World Cup.
He said: “One of the huge blessings to come out of that period was I was able to go to Jamaica for a few days to sort my passport out so I could play for them.
“Had I been playing first-team football every week I’d have not been able to.
“Now I have a chance of making the World Cup. It goes to show you can make everything work out in the end.”
NEWCASTLE UNITED’s proposed plans for a new stadium to replace St James’ Park have seemingly stalled as the club plans to address other business concerns first.
Newcastle United’s proposal for a new stadium has hit a roadblockCredit: Getty
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The plans were expected to propose a new ground on the site of nearby Leazes ParkCredit: Getty
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The club’s Saudi-led ownership are prioritising other aspects of the club before revisiting the plansCredit: Getty
Plans for a new 65,000-seat ground on the site of nearby Leazes Park were set to be revealed earlier this year before being delayed.
Now it seems these plans have been pushed back until the club is on more stable ground in other areas.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, the owners had prioritised other issues, namely the appointment of a new chief executive, a new sporting director and the production of a new training ground.
Headway has already been made on the list, with the club announcing David Hopkinson as their new CEO last week.
The executive has spent time working with football giants such as Real Madrid, and most recently held a role as a President and COO overseeing the business of the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers in the US.
Reports suggest Nottingham Forest sporting director Ross Wilson is in line to make the change to the North East to address the second point.
This follows the departure of incumbent sporting director Paul Mitchell, who chose to leave the club in June ahead of the summer window.
The holdup, it seems, remains on the final point, with Newcastle still unable as yet to find a suitable site for the development, having made one initial offer before negotiations fell apart.
Ground has reportedly been broken on designs for the training ground in collaboration with Populous, the architects behind Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The hope is to make further progress on the training centre in Autumn, but until then, it seems plans for a new stadium will remain on the back-burner.
Fans stunned at size of Newcastle’s Isak replacement Nick Woltemade as he dwarfs over Liverpool star
Calls for a new ground have grown as Newcastle look to establish themselves in the Champions League.
Their current 52,000 capacity ground will host Barcelona on Thursday as the Magpies look to get off to a flying start in the competition.
ALEXNDER ISAK has broken his silence following his blockbuster move to Liverpool.
The Sweden international completed a deadline-day move to the Reds from Newcastle United to become the most expensive player in Premier League history.
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Alexander Isak has completed a blockbuster move to Liverpool from Newcastle UnitedCredit: PA
Liverpool have shelled out a Premier League record £130MILLION to sign the 25-year-old.
Former Real Sociedad ace Isak went on strike in order to force through his move to Anfield and has yet to play this season.
And he’s champing at the bit to get started for the Reds following his successful self-imposed exile.
When asked what drew him to Anfield, he told the Kop club’s official website: “It’s a mixture of what the club is building.
“But what they’re building on top of what the club already is.
“The history of the club,” Isak told Liverpoolfc.com, when asked why Anfield is the place for him.
“Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies.
“That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.
“I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super-happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.”
Kop chief Arne Slot has handed Isak the historic No.9 shirt, which has previously been worn by club legends Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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He blasted: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.
“To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.
“That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Toon chiefs’ stance was that the Swedish international, 25, is not for sale – although a £150m figure would reportedly have been enough to convince the Saudi owners to part with him.
The club hit back: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak.
How Liverpool’s genius ‘sucker’ trick defied Newcastle’s heroic pack-hunters
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his team-mates.”
If they don’t, the Magpies still hold hope of getting Isak to agree to a new contract with a release clause kicking in next summer.
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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
Last match in Newcastle shirt
JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
Left out of Celtic friendly
Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
Isak stops training and goes on strike
Moves out of his apartment
Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
However, a further boost for the champions – who have also signed Toon target Hugo Ekitike this summer – is that The Telegraph claim Newcastle are set to accept a £130m bid even if they are unable to sign another striker.
Howe said: “I don’t know. I’m not party to any talks going on.”
When pressed on whether Isak would be allowed to play for the club again if a move did not materialise, the manager added: “Yes, from my side I’ve said it all along. While he’s still contracted to us that has to be the way.”
In Isak’s absence, Newcastle have started the season with two 0-0 draws either side of the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
Woltemade, Eddie Howe’s fifth recruit this summer and who will wear the No27 shirt, said: “I’m really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.
“It’s a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family.
“I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.
“I know the stadium from watching games on television – it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I’m really excited to play and start scoring goals here.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: “We’re delighted to get Nick’s signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options.
“He’s strong in a lot of areas – he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe’s top leagues – but he’s also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here.
“Nick is a great character too and we’re really pleased to welcome him to the group.”
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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Woltemade, who has penned a contract until 2031, is not believed to have been registered in time to face Leeds today but could make his debut against Wolves in a fortnight.
The two-time capped German international was top scorer at this summer’s U21 Euros with six goals but suffered defeat in the final to England – who had new team-mate Tino Livramento in their line-up.
Fans stunned at size of Newcastle’s Isak replacement Nick Woltemade as he dwarfs over Liverpool star
He makes the big-money move to the North East after just one season with Stuttgart, having joined them from Werder Bremen on a free transfer just 12 months ago.
He scored 17 goals in all competitions last term, including a crucial goal in the DFB-Pokal final – which Stuttgart went on to win.
Woltemade could watch Toon in action at Elland Road today before linking up with the Germany squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, we revealed Liverpool are expected to make a record bid for Isak in the coming days after club chiefs sanctioned a £130m bid for the 25-year-old.
Newcastle have already rejected one offer worth £110m and are refusing to sell unless they get a replacement
Isak, who is refusing to play for Newcastle and training alone, reiterated his desire to leave this week to Toon’s Saudi chiefs.
Now he will be praying that Howe can get Wissa or Strand Larsen over the line to finally secure his departure.
TINO LIVRAMENTO will have a “beautiful future” for club and country, says England’s greatest left-back Ashley Cole.
The Newcastle star is aiming to cap off a campaign that saw him lift the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League by becoming a European champion.
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Tino Livramento produced a man of the match display in England U21s’ win over Czech RepublicCredit: Getty
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Ashley Cole believes the star has a ‘beautiful future’ ahead of him with the Three LionsCredit: Getty
And he thinks England, who face Slovenia on Sunday in their second Group B clash, have struck gold with Livramento.
Cole, 44, said: “I had the fortune to be around him when he was at Chelsea. He was in the 21s in the reserve group. You always see the passion and level he could get to. But of course, there’s only a certain level of information we can give him.
“It’s down to the players to take on that information, absorb it, and want to learn and listen and develop and get better. He’s certainly one of them players.
“Him getting the opportunity at Newcastle and continuing to play first in football gave him the belief, the confidence in his own ability. And, of course, a manager that’s trusted him to play at such a young age. He’s developing into a top player.”
Three-time Premier League and 2012 Champions League winner Cole continued: “My job is to try and give all my experiences to every single player.
“You do favour certain players and certain attitudes. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a great person, always willing to listen.
“I try not to compare myself to these guys. The information and detail I give is, we’re a different stature. We have a different style of play. And it’s just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops.”
Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?
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Ashley Cole and Tino Livramento in action at England trainingCredit: Getty
Cole, who admits some of the magic is not there anymore, takes a hands-on approach to coaching.
And after sharing a pitch with Livramento and working with him up close, he insists that the sky is the limit for the Toon ace.
He said: “I can’t move anymore. My ankle is gone. I was probably the worst player last week when I joined in.
“I try to give that little bit of knowledge as I’m playing. I can’t run anymore, so it’s more of a gob – which I’ve calmed down a bit! – but it’s still there. I try to give as much as I can.
“As coach, you stand on the sideline and see how much information he takes on and takes on board. And I keep saying it, but the willingness to want to learn and be the best, is always a great trait to have.
I try not to compare myself to these guys. We have a different style of play. And it’s just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops.
Ashley Cole on Tino Livramento
“Whatever level he wants to get to, he can get to because he’s got that personality and desire.
“He’s got a beautiful future, a bright future. Long may it continue that he keeps playing for Newcastle, keeps gaining experience and keeps his levels up.”
Eyebrows were raised when Thomas Tuchel left Livramento, who won his first senior cap in November, out of his latest squad in order for him to come to the Euros.
But the ex-Southampton ace revealed a conversation he had with the German about being a leader for the U21s in Slovakia and he says he is loving soaking up all the knowledge from his hero Cole.
Livramento said: “Thomas spoke to me about the senior squad and said that he wanted to speak to Lee as well about giving me that role.
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“I’ve never played a tournament for England and any age group. I’ve always missed it through injuries. That’s a big thing for me, coming here and getting this experience and playing with loads of boys that I’ve come through the age groups with.
“Ashley gets involved in the sessions. Even just watching him, he’s still at the highest level of the way he communicates with all the boys. As a coach he’s a bit more laid back.
“He sees things, he lets you train and he might pull you to the side after and do a little bit of one-to-one work.
“Obviously as a Chelsea fan when I was younger seeing him and stuff like that is a big thing for me to learn.”
England’s Under-21 Euros squad in FULL
ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia.
Here is Lee Carsley’s full squad for the blockbuster tournament:
Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City)
Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth)
Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST would have earned a Champions League spot at the expense of Newcastle if VAR did not exist.
And the Magpies’ escape from any consequences for their home defeat by Everton is put into even starker content as they would have missed out on European football altogether without the technology.
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Nottingham Forest would have earned a Champions League spot if VAR did not exist
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Newcastle would have missed out on Europe if VAR did not exist
SunSport have analysed all 380 Prem matches this term and worked out how the table would have looked if the original on-field decisions had not been overturned after intervention by the Stockley Park video booth.
Our number crunchers found that Eddie Howe’s men were by far the biggest beneficiaries of VAR changes.
Newcastle had a staggering 13 decisions changed in their favour, with just five reversals hurting them.
That brought a net figure of +8, with Aston Villa and West Ham next in the benefits column with each having four more interventions in their favour than against them.
Our analysis, which assumes every penalty that was initially awarded and then wiped was scored, suggests that without VAR Newcastle would have picked up four fewer points – dropping them to eighth in the table – and conceded seven more goals.
Forest, whose home defeat by Chelsea left them in the Conference League slot, would have finished fifth in our “No VAR” table.
And Bournemouth, ninth in the actual table, would have been preparing for a first continental campaign in the Europa League without the technology changes.
Andoni Iraola’s side had 11 VAR changes against them and just three in their favour, costing the Cherries EIGHT points and seven goals.
The study of the 111 changed decisions cannot determine definitively what would have happened in real life if the initial decisions had not been overturned.
But one of the most contentious calls saw Dango Ouattara’s last-gasp “winner” against Newcastle in August chalked off for a handball PGMOL chief Howard Webb subsequently conceded was wrongly overturned after the VAR intervention.
Taiwo Awoniyi seen for first time since horror injury as he receives hero’s welcome at Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Over the course of the season there were 12 goals and 25 penalties awarded through VAR intervention – with 21 of those spot-kicks converted – compared to 48 goals and 11 penalties disallowed.
Liverpool’s 10-point advantage over Arsenal at the top of the pile would have been reduced to just two without VAR, as the Gunners lost eight points from the six overturns against them – including “winning” goals against Chelsea, Fulham and Aston Villa.
Chelsea and Manchester City swap places, with the Londoners up to third, with Villa down one to take the Conference League slot.
CALLUM WILSON revealed he contemplated suicide aged 12 and how seeking therapy a year ago saved him from the demons.
The father-of-two forward, whose Newcastle contract expires next month, bravely spoke out during Mental Health Awareness week and hopes his story will inspire others to ask for help.
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Callum Wilson revealed he contemplated suicide aged 12
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Wilson has represented England at senior levelCredit: Getty
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His Newcastle contract expires at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
England international Wilson, 33, bared all about growing up in Coventry as one of six children with a single mum and with a different dad to his siblings.
He told the High Performance podcast: “I cried myself to sleep at night. I got to about 12, 13 – it was like suicidal moments.
“When I say I cried myself to sleep, I was just praying to God like ‘take me out of this environment, I want to become a footballer’.”
He admitted: “I’ve walked alongside the train track and was building up the courage to jump basically in front of the train.
“I’ve tied cables around my bedroom rail and my PlayStation remote controller to see if it was strong enough to hold my weight.
“Football really was my saviour, it was my escape.”
Wilson, though, refuses to blame his mother for any of his unstable upbringing, saying: “It was my mum on her own, all my siblings in the house.
“We had a three bedroom council house. Food was sparing to come by. That, along with a bit of turmoil.
“I probably have a lot of aggression from that point, but football was a place that I could be aggressive in my position on the pitch and it would be ok. So it was like a release really.”
Champions League places CONFIRMED after Aston Villa VAR controversy as Newcastle have to be saved by Man Utd
Despite all of the success in his career on the pitch, Wilson admitted that he had started to become more aggressive over recent years and he started to gamble.
Though he hailed a Newcastle physio for spotting he needed help and making him take it – which felt “like a weight was lifted” after the very first session.
He added: “Once I started speaking, and revealed everything I’ve been through in life, she was like ‘Wow, how have you got to this point already without not seeing a therapist?’
“I speak to my wife about it, but I didn’t want to blur the lines with our relationship.
“She’s not my therapist, she’s my wife and the mother of my children, so I didn’t want to burden her with problems.
“You can speak to a therapist and it does feel a sense of relief afterwards.
“It’s an investment in yourself and more than worth it. I’m probably learning a lot about myself now – little traits that I have that were obviously triggered by things as a kid. I’m really happy.”
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organizations provide support:
Meanwhile, Wilson appeared to wave goodbye to Newcastle with a tearful solo lap of honour round the St. James’ pitch on Sunday after the Magpies had secured Champions League qualification.
Although Magpies boss Eddie Howe refused to rule out a potential stay.
Howe said: “Let’s wait and see. We’re going to sit down and talk with his representatives.
“What I can say is Callum Wilson is and has been just an incredible footballer for Newcastle.
“Someone who epitomises the spirit that’s got us to where we are really professional. Brave.
“To come here and be the No.9 in the manner and the moment that he did in the club’s history.
“It was a difficult moment and the club needed hope and Callum gave them hope, led the line with that responsibility and the pressure that role brings unbelievably.
“He brings a positivity to the group. He’s a leader within the change room. He’s just been incredible and let’s wait and see what happens.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
