Jetro Willems has singled out Matty Longstaff for immense praise following a Q and A session with fans on social media.
The Dutchman, whose season was cut short due to an anterior crucial ligament injury which saw him sent back to Eintracht Frankfurt, was asked a straight question on who was the most talented player at the club.
In response to a question from Toon fan Mark Scott, Willems didn't hesitate to name the 20-year-old midfielder and tag the youngster in his reply.
There's no doubt the tweet will have lifted the spirits of Longstaff with the player's contract talks parked by the club before the virus pandemic.
And Willems is merely amplifying the view of the dressing room with the majority of senior players understood to feel he is worthy of a new improved contract.
Newcastle and the player had not come to any agreement before the season was suspended and the midfielder was left on the sidelines by Steve Bruce.
Longstaff has been linked with some huge clubs in recent times including AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley was looking to get back to talks with the player and his agent but the discussions were delayed with uncertainty now surrounding the Toon chief's own position.
Charnley is believed to be expecting to move on from the club meaning contracts of current players would now be a decision for the would-be owners.
