Despite reports of a potential exit, 23-year-old Isaac Hayden has not let his calibre of showing slip, instead going from strength to strength from week to week.
A bit-part player for the first half of the season, Hayden has done a complete heel turn and is now a fixture in the starting XI – he has played the full 90 minutes in six of his seven appearances since the new year.
His performances put him on the radar of Aston Villa in January, but a deal never materialised – all the better for Newcastle.
Kenedy’s impressive showings on loan from Chelsea last season earned him a second temporary stint at St James’ Park for the 18/19 season but, unfortunately, the Brazilian has cut a moody, disinterested figure this time round.
The 23-year-old has chalked up just one goal and one assist in 20 appearances this season – the resurgence of Christian Atsu and the arrival of Almiron will make minutes hard to come by for Kenedy if he doesn’t pick his feet up soon.
With Hayden’s importance increasing as the season rolls on, Kennedy’s has decreased dramatically and he has played just 32 minutes of football since the start of the year. Based on this form, it’s highly unlikely he will be back on Tyneside for a third consecutive year.