Steve Bruce lists injured players at Newcastle United ahead of Premier League restart

Bruce’s side will restart their Premier League campaign on Sunday following a three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic with a behind-closed-doors home game against Sheffield United.

However, Bruce will be without Sean and Matty Longstaff and Dwight Gayle, while Matt Ritchie is doubtful.

“We’ve got a couple of niggles, which you would expect,” said United’s head coach via a Zoom press conference. “The two Longstaffs are there or thereabouts, and we hope they can be involved after the weekend. There’s a slight doubt about Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle has picked up a knock on his knee. There’s one or two niggles.”

Florian Lejeune is also injured. Bruce told BBC Radio Newcastle: “Unfortunately, Lejeune picked up an injury in the game last week."

Newcastle are 13th in the Premier League table with nine games left to play. The club is also in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

"We've got ourselves in a decent position, and we've got nine to go,” said Bruce. “We've got five of the bottom six to play, so it's all to play for."

All remaining games will be played behind closed doors.

Bruce said: We've all experienced how strange it is with the two games on Wednesday (without fans). If ever we need reminding that this game of ours belongs to the supporters, we just have to tune in. It's certainly not the same spectacle."