Steve Bruce explains what happened with Newcastle United's move for Rob Holding

Fabian Schar’s quicker-than-expected return from injury has all but ended Newcastle United’s search for a defender, according to Steve Bruce.
Mikel Arteta greets Rob Holding.Mikel Arteta greets Rob Holding.
Mikel Arteta greets Rob Holding.

The club had been keen to sign Rob Holding on loan from Arsenal before Mikel Arteta blocked a move for the 25-year-old.

Bruce yesterday revealed that he doesn’t expect Newcastle to be busy before Monday’s transfer deadline following the £15million acquisition of Callum Wilson and the arrival of three free agents, Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick and Mark Gillespie.

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United’s head coach is hopeful his injury problems will ease during the international break which follows tonight’s home Premier League game against Burnley.

“We have had a big problem with Ciaran (Clark) and (Paul) Dummett, because they’ve been long term, and there’s been Fab Schar out too,” said Bruce.

“At the time, I was thinking that we could have done with a bit of cover there.

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"But Fab Schar came back much quicker than I thought he would, and we’re hoping that Ciaran and Dummett will be back into training after the international break, in that week leading up to the Man U game.

“That changes things a bit. If something as good as Rob Holding came along, we would have a look, but in terms of that one, it’s changed now because he’s in the Arsenal team. That situation has gone away – fair play to him.”

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