Newcastle United have rejected an approach from Bury to take midfielder Matty Longstaff on loan, according Lee Ryder of the Chronicle. 

The 18-year-old is yet to make his debut for the Magpies' first team but has been in action for the club's reserve side and in the EFL Trophy, appearing 17 times scoring once and assisting three more.

Longstaff is the brother of fellow Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff who has recently broken into Rafa Benitez's first-team, making eight appearances for the senior side.

Going into transfer deadline day, 23-year-old right-back Jamie Sterry is the only name to leave St. James's Park, heading to League Two Crewe Alexandra on loan for the rest of the season.

Bury currently sit in a great position to achieve promotion back to League One with the Shakers currently sat in third place but just three points behind league-leaders Lincoln City.

So far, Blackburn Rovers centre-back Scott Wharton is the only new face to arrive at Gigg Lane, signing on loan until the end of the season.

The verdict 

This is a pretty strange rejection from Newcastle.

Longstaff is clearly well established in the reserve sides so it surely makes sense to send him on loan to gain some experience now.

Perhaps they want him playing at a higher level, but I think depriving him the chance of a promotion battle is foolish.