Steve Bruce addresses transfer window after Newcastle United defeat

Leicester City beat Bruce’s side 2-1 in a Premier League fixture at St James’s Park this afternoon. James Maddison and Youri Tielemans scored on counter-attacks after a goalless first half, and Andy Carroll came off the bench to score his first goal for Newcastle in more than 10 years.

“There was nothing in it first half, in my opinion,” said Bruce. “Unfortunately we’ve been caught giving the ball away high up the pitch, which is something we’ve been guilty of a few times.

"Against Leicester, in particular, we know how good they are on the break. Our first real mistake, we’ve been punished. I couldn’t fault the effort and endeavour, but it’s something we have to improve on.”

The fixture followed a goalless draw against Premier League champions Liverpool and a Boxing Day defeat to Manchester City.

"I couldn’t fault their effort and attitude all week against who we were playing against, especially with the problems we’ve had (with Covid-19),” said Bruce, who was again without Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin. “The attitude and application has been terrific.”

Bruce, looking at the loan market in this month’s transfer window, doesn’t expect a breakthrough ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

"Look, I’ll say it again – it’s notoriously very difficult,” said United’s head coach. “Whether something can happen in the next week, I’m not so sure about that. We’ll keep plugging away.”

Newcastle are 15th in the table with 19 points.

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