Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce explained selecting Fabian Schar ahead of Nabil Bentaleb and Matty Longstaff for the 2-1 defeat at Watford.

Bruce was asked by Schar has now played out of position in the last two games.

He said, "I thought we needed Fabian Schär's physicality and I think it worked in the first-half. “Him playing in midfield is something we've worked on in training so it's given me food for thought.

“With Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden out we are short so I picked him for his physicality."

Longstaff has been linked with a move to Udinese in Italy but has appeared just twice since lockdown with two fleeting appearances as sub.

His contract runs out at the end of the month.