This will 'disappoint' Valentino Lazaro at Newcastle United

Lazaro, signed on loan from Inter Milan in January, has played just 383 minutes of Premier League football for the club.

And United must soon make decisions on Lazaro and his fellow loanees, Nabil Bentaleb and Danny Rose, ahead of the summer transfer window.

Bruce spoke about Lazaro after last night's goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion. The 24-year-old came off the bench late in the game at the Amex Stadium.

Asked about Lazaro’s situation, Newcastle’s head coach said: “It’s been really difficult, because of the lockdown situation. He probably hasn’t played as much as he would like.

"I think he’s just getting used to playing in the Premier League, but now its finishing. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed with the amount of game time he’s had, but, look, up until two, three games ago, the team were playing very, very well, and he couldn’t find his way into it.

"So it’s been difficult for the boy, but I still like him as a player and as a lad. He’ll look at the game time, and think he hasn’t had enough.”

It would reportedly cost United £20million to make Lazaro’s move permanent.

The Brighton result left the club 13th in the Premier League with one game to play. Newcastle entertain champions Liverpool at St James’s Park on Sunday.