Newcastle United’s ‘smart’ transfer window move

Bruce succeeded Rafa Benitez at St James’s Park last summer. At the time, the club’s new head coach reacted angrily to claims he would be a “puppet”.

Some of Bruce’s predecessors haven’t had full control over transfers. However, Bruce – who has signed four players, all with Premier League experience, so far in this transfer window – says he, like Benitez, has had the final say on recruitment.

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League home game against Brighton and Hove Albion, Bruce said: “I was always consulted on the players that we brought in.

“Last year was late, but, certainly, I worked tirelessly with (head of recruitment) Steve Nickson on what we did in January, and I thought our work in January was excellent with the loan players we brought in.

“We didn't spend the money in January, which enabled us to keep hold of it and make sure that we could get the players that we wanted to get in this summer.

“I think that was a smart move, but I've worked tirelessly alongside Steve, (managing director) Lee Charnley and the scouting department.

“We try and work together, and, of course, it's impossible for me to see every single player.

“But we all thought that with the short pre-season, with the build-up not being long, to get people settled into a new environment, let's go for a little bit of the tried and tested. I think it's certainly helped us.”