Steve Bruce opens up on his relationship with Mike Ashley at Newcastle United

Ashley visited Newcastle United's training ground on Wednesday, and took Bruce and his players out for a team meal.

Ashley’s visit followed the arrivals of new signings Callum Wilson, Jamal Lewis and Ryan Fraser.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League season-opener against West Ham United, head coach Bruce said: “I think the owner just wanted to come and meet his new players. He comes up once in a while, and takes everyone out for dinner, and it was good to see him.

"In certain transfers, he’s had to flex his muscles a little bit, which was good to see. We all went out for dinner, and it was great.

“I don’t have everyday dealings with him, he’s got so much going on in his life. The most important thing is the relationship a manager has with his CEO (Lee Charnley). You’re not going to see eye to eye all the time, but when three or four people walk through the door of the calibre we’ve had, it obviously helps.

“It’s all been said. To be fair to Mike, he only wants what’s best for the club.

"He was in quite a unique situation (with the proposed Amanada Staveley-led takeover). It doesn’t look as if it’s happened, so for me, it’s about getting on with business and usual and trying to do the best we can.

"If I look where we are now from where we were 12 months ago, the squad is stronger and better.”