ISAAC HAYDEN has returned to Newcastle United – but Eddie Howe is set to send the midfielder straight back out on loan despite the club’s chronic injury issues.

Hayden spent the first half of the season on loan at Belgian side Standard Liege, but while the Pro League club wanted to keep the 28-year-old for the remainder of the campaign, Newcastle opted to trigger an automatic recall option in his deal.

With Newcastle’s lack of midfield options having been exposed again at the weekend as Howe admitted he felt unable to make changes in the Magpies’ 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, Hayden could help offer cover in the next few weeks.

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Joe Willock, Joelinton and Elliot Anderson are all expected to be sidelined until next month at the earliest, while Sandro Tonali will remain unavailable because of suspension until the start of next season. Given that Bruno Guimaraes picked up his ninth booking of the campaign on Saturday, there is every chance he will be ruled out for two matches soon too.

However, having effectively drawn a line under Hayden’s Newcastle career at the start of last season, Howe does not intend to keep the former Arsenal midfielder as part of his first-team squad. Instead, he will be heading into the Championship, with Newcastle officials expected to push for an agreement over a permanent deal in the summer as part of any deal.

“I think Isaac will go back on loan, possibly somewhere else,” confirmed Howe. “Although I’m slightly unsure (if there is a deal already lined up).”

Hayden has been linked with a number of possible destinations this month, with new Birmingham City boss, Tony Mowbray, understood to be keen to take him to St Andrew’s.

Sheffield Wednesday, who looked to sign Hayden last summer, remain interested, along with Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth Argyle.

Hayden spent time on loan at Championship side Norwich City last season, but a succession of injuries meant he did not trigger the performance-related clauses that would have resulted in a permanent switch to Carrow Road.