Former Pool loanee Longstaff primed for Championship move

The Newcastle Chronicle has reported the midfielder, who spent last season on loan with the Seasiders, is to be loaned out to a Championship club.

Longstaff enjoyed a fine campaign for Blackpool, scoring nine goals in 45 appearances.

Bowyer has previously gone on record with his desire to bring Longstaff back to the club next season, along with Birmingham City man Viv Solomon-Otabor.

But it is understood Longstaff's parent club Newcastle, who are unsure if he is ready to make the step up to their senior team, are wanting to see him spend a season in the second tier.

The 20-year-old's name has reportedly been put forward by the club’s under-23 coaching staff to be promoted to the senior squad this summer and Benitez may want to hand him some minutes in the club’s pre-season tours of Ireland and Portugal.

Bowyer, speaking about Longstaff at the back end of last season, was full of praise for Longstaff and the contribution he made to his side.

Speaking about his nine-goal haul, the Pool boss said: "It’s an outstanding achievement, especially when you consider it’s his first proper season in league football.

“He’s just a fantastic player in my opinion who has got a great future ahead of him, who works ever so hard, who wants to get better and has that unbelievable habit of scoring from 20 and 30 yards."