The £50,000 per week Newcastle United forgotten star who made return in front of just 292 fans

Isaac Hayden made a quiet return to life in a Newcastle United shirt last night - two years after saying goodbye to the Toon Army.

Since then failure to win permanent moves at Norwich City then Queens Park Rangers mean that the 29-year-old has remained on United's books. Despite being told he has no future under Eddie Howe, Hayden still has two years left on his existing contract.

But the consummate professional has been getting on with life in the reserves and made his playing comeback for the black and whites in the National League Cup against Halifax Town. Indeed, while the Magpies were playing in front of a crowd of over 51,000 at St James' Park, Hayden was in action 117 miles away in front of a crowd of just 292 fans.

READ MORE:Irked AFC Wimbledon suggest Newcastle United 'know' as 'frustrated' claim made

READ MORE:Lee Charnley returns to St James' Park as Newcastle United fan but has top new role in football

Hayden played an hour at the Shay and helped Newcastle to a 2-1 victory to kick off their National League Cup campaign in a winning manner. The former Arsenal midfielder has not featured for Newcastle's first team since 2021 during a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City early in Howe's stint in charge as boss.

But the midfielder, signed by Rafa Benitez in 2016, has always maintained a good rapport with Howe. He said in a previous interview: "The manager (Eddie Howe) is really, really good there.

"He has called me probably every couple of weeks, just to see how I am and how I’m getting on. He talks about the lads back there and how they’re getting on too.

"A lot of people probably think I might not like the staff that came in because I didn’t play as much as I would’ve wished. But I have nothing but great things to say about Eddie Howe as a person. He’s a top-level coach; probably the best I’ve had in terms of man-management."