This is what the Newcastle United dressing room have said about Graeme Jones' arrival

Jones, a boyhood Newcastle United fan, joined Steve Bruce’s coaching staff in late-January after a brief spell at the Vitality Stadium.

A number of supporters believe Jones has played a key role in the Magpies’ change of approach, which has contributed to two wins in three games against Everton and Southampton.

Francis was released by the Cherries last summer after eight-and-a-half years but still maintains a close relationship with the Championship outfit.

He also stays in contact with former teammates Ritchie and Wilson too, who, according to the 35-year-old, have both sung Jones’ praises and shed light on his impact.

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Football Show, Francis said: “It came down to the fact that Newcastle are Graeme’s boyhood club and it became an opportunity too good for him to turn down.

"He hadn’t been in the role at Bournemouth too long so I hadn’t actually worked with him on the grass, I met him but that was about as far as it went.

"Listening to the players speak about him, they said tactically he was an excellent coach day-to-day, he brought out the best in a lot of the players.

"We saw that certainly early on for Bournemouth with the results we were having and even speaking to Callum (Wilson) and Matt Ritchie recently, they’ve sung his praises up there as well.

"They said he’s brought in a different and fresher approach and whether that’s necessarily down to the results they’ve had recently, I think a lot of Newcastle fans might see it that way but he’s definitely added something else to that coaching department.

"He’s got them playing a different style of football, he’s working with them day in, day out. It’s been good for them so far no doubt.”

Jones’ arrival at St James’s Park has brought many questions to Bruce’s door, some of which he labelled as “conspiracy theories”.

Asked if Jones was a “threat” to him at the club, Bruce said last week: “No. Look, it's been talked about for weeks now about bringing in somebody to help us when we had the problems with Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence.

"I reiterate, he was my first choice. All these conspiracy theories, I wish I could just put them to bed.”