Last summer the boss had to leave out the likes of Jack Colback, Rolando Aarons and Henri Saivet at the last minute, as a late summer signing splurge saw the Magpies, just in time, strengthen key areas.
This time around, though, it’s a little different for Bruce at St James’s Park.
The Magpies have already done the majority of their business this summer – and they did it early by their standards, adding three free transfers – Mark Gillespie, Jeff Hendrick and Ryan Fraser – and two further signings totalling £35 million – Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis.
As a result, Bruce’s first-team pool is overstocked. The fat needs trimmed from the edges, with a decision required on the 25 players who will be in, and those who will miss out, coming shortly after the closure of the summer transfer window on October 5.
Twenty two players look all but assured of their place in the squad: Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow, Mark Gillespie, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth, Jamal Lewis, Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, Sean Longstaff, Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy, Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie, Callum Wilson, Andy Carroll and Joelinton.
But what about the futures of the other EIGHT, whose futures, at this stage, remain up in the air? Here are their relative merits explored with some looking a little safer than others...
1. Dwight Gayle
Injury could keep Gayle at SJP and it may mean the option of omitting him from the 25 could come up in conversations, but with a November return pencilled in the player will likely be keen to be involved. With a striker on the agenda, this is a big call for Bruce to make. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
2. Fabian Schar
Another who is entering the final year of his current deal, but the club do have an option to extend. Schar is a player who was offered around other clubs as a makeweight in various deals but to no avail earlier in the summer. He's now very close to a first-team return and could well be needed following Florian Lejeune's exit. Photo: Pool
3. DeAndre Yedlin
Yedlin's days at United look to be over. Bruce has three right backs on his books and the USA international looks to be the player that doesn't fit. A US return has been mooted but financially a European move looks a whole lot more likely. Photo: Pool
4. Dan Barlaser
Barlaser is a player who, at 23, could see his late development work against him. A talented midfielder with a lot to offer in terms of passing, Barlaser is right on the fringe of the 25. And you'd imagine it would take no new signings for him to sneak in. Photo: Pool