Steve Bruce reveals transfer window setbacks at Newcastle United

Steve Bruce says Newcastle United have already had two transfer “knock-backs”.

Published 5th Jan 2020, 07:00 BST- 1 min read

Bruce’s side were held to a 1-1 draw in yesterday’s third-round FA Cup tie against League One club Rochdale at Spotland.

The game highlighted injury-hit Newcastle’s problems in front of goal – £40million summer siging Joelinton again drew a blank – and Bruce was asked about this month’s transfer window after the game.

“We’ve had a couple of knock-backs already,” said head coach Bruce. “We’ll keep working away. It’s very, very difficult. I won’t just bring in players for the sake of it. We’ll see what the next two or three weeks bring.”

Joelinton missed the best of United’s chances at Spotland, where the team was backed by 3,200 fans. Reflecting on the game, Bruce said: “The frailties are there. You can’t dominate a game like that and miss the chance we did.”