Steve Bruce 'safe' in his job at Newcastle United

Bruce is under intense pressure following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to previously-winless Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night.

United’s head coach insisted that he would not resign after the Premier League defeat.

“Yes, I’m bitterly disappointed that we haven’t played well enough, especially in the first half,” said Bruce. "But I’ll leave that (discussions about his future) to other people – you’re asking the wrong person. I’ll never, ever walk away from a challenge, and I think I’ve been in it long enough to have that respect.”

The Gazette reported last month that Bruce retained the backing of owner Mike Ashley following the club’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford, and Sky Sports claim that this has not changed in the wake of an eight-game run without a win.