Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has thrown the gauntlet down to Sean Longstaff ahead of the second half of the season.

The North Shields lad has not started a game since the 4-2 defeat at Brentford and has been in the starting line-up in the Premier League this season just eight times. Howe's move to play Sandro Tonali at number 6 and Bruno Guimaraes at number 8 has had major consequences for Longstaff with the midfielder restricted to cameos from the bench in recent weeks.

Longstaff would seem a shoo-in to start against Bromley in the FA Cup, with Howe urging him to take his chance to impress. The Geordie is believed to be a target of Everton in the January window but has two years left on his current deal.

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When asked about Longstaff's position, Howe told Chronicle Live: "I think Sean is fighting for his place and he has responded well to that challenge. It is very difficult for him and it is always very difficult for any player.

"You are competing for a place and you are seeing the team actually perform really well. We are really stable in midfield. The challenge for you then goes up. It is the same for all of our midfielders.

"The competition for places is so strong. You have six top players who all want to play, and if I go with that system, I can only pick three."

Getting past either Tonali, Bruno, or Joelinton is an almighty task for Longstaff, but Howe has stated he has no choice but to take on the challenge.

He said: "That is the challenge for him and whenever he plays he has to perform, that is very clear. Otherwise, your chances are obviously reduced. Any opportunity he gets he has to be at his best level."