Latest: Newcastle United loanee reveals position over Portsmouth return after strong finish for former Arsenal and Norwich City man
Isaac Hayden has ruled out a Pompey return next season after completing the Championship survival mission.
But the Newcastle midfielder saluted a mutually beneficial stay at Fratton Park, as he returned to his parent club at the end of his loan stay.
Hayden leaves the Blues after making 17 appearances when arriving from St James’ Park in January, with his record standing up inspection.
Of his 12 starts, Pompey picked up seven wins, two draws and three defeats as they powered to survival with three games to spare.
The 30-year-old returns to the Magpies, where he is firmly out of the first-team reckoning, with a year remaining on his £50,000-a-week deal.
Hayden is realistic about things progressing any further with Pompey, with the picture clear a short-term agreement was one which suited all parties.
‘I think financially it’s a little bit of a difficult conversation and also when I spoke to people at the end of January when I signed, the situation was the club want to go in a younger direction. I don’t think they want to go with players who are my age and above.
‘I knew already for a while it was going to be a situation like that, and they were the circumstances I was coming here under.
‘I’m now go into a situation off the back of some games, some good games, and I can now go into the summer and international football in a good space.’
Newacastle’s Pompey loanee: ‘I felt a bit hard done by’
Hayden has admitted to some frustration at being left out of John Mousinho’s side, after banking a good run of games after his January arrival was sealed.
The former Arsenal and QPR man found himself named as sub for five matches on the spin, with Pompey losing four of those games.
The 30-year-old then returned for the dramatic 2-2 draw with Derby and two wins over Norwich and Watford over the Easter period, which guaranteed survival.
Despite that, Hayden leaves with thanks for the opportunity afforded him at Pompey, and satisfaction for his role in the successful finale to the campaign.
He added: ‘This is an historic club and a big club with a big fanbase.
‘I think in hindsight we could have got the job done earlier.
‘I came out of the team for a bit for three or four games and, in that spell, I felt a bit hard done by considering the results I got but that was the manager’s decision.
‘We didn’t get the results in those games, he brought me back in and the results came.
‘So, from my side, I think I’ve contributed more than enough for this football club and I’ve given everything I have.
‘On the other side I’m grateful for the opportunity, so it’s a bit of give and take - I’m happy with how it’s gone.’