Yoshinori Muto set for talks over his Newcastle United future

Muto, an unused substitute for last night’s goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion, has played just 207 minutes of Premier League football under Bruce this season.

And the 28-year-old’s future looks to lie away from St James’s Park after two frustrating years on Tyneside.

Asked about Muto’s situation, head coach Bruce said: “Look, I’ll sit down with Muto. He hasn’t had the best of times under me, gamewise. He’s a great pro, trains well, so I’ve got no problem with him. No issues, it’s just that we have forward players at the minute who are ahead of him.”

Muto was signed from Mainz two years ago for £9.5million by Rafa Benitez, Bruce’s predecessor at United. The Japan international has two years left on his contract.