Exclusive: Steve Bruce thrilled by big Newcastle development after green light
Steve Bruce is thrilled at the prospect of Newcastle United returning to training and carrying on where they left off before the lockdown, Football Insider has learned.
This site revealed yesterday the north-east giants are planning to restart training in small groups early next week if, as expected, Boris Johnson lifts some of the nation’s exercise restrictions.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that Bruce is “excited” about seeing the players again and chomping at the bit to get back to the club’s Benton training headquarters.
The manager is said to be well aware of reports that his job is under serious threat as the Amanda Staveley-led takeover is close to completion.
But the 59-year-old has heard nothing about his position from PCP Partners, the consortium with Saudi Arabia backing that is set to buy out Mike Ashley.
It is expected that Bruce, who was appointed to replace Rafael Benitez last summer, will remain in charge for the rest of the season.
The prospective new owners’ plan, Football Insider has been told, is to then hire a high ranking manager with Mauricio Pochettino top of their target list.
Bruce is concentrating on what he can control and, if the Premier League’s Project Restart plan gets off the ground, that means plotting a top-ten finish and FA Cup success.
The team are 13th in the table – four points adrift of Burnley in 10th – with nine matches of the season remaining and have a mouthwatering FA Cup quarter-final against Man City.
Meanwhile, Newcastle been making provisions to their Benton training base so players can still adhere to social distancing rules.
If they are able to train next week, it will be in small groups of four to five players at a time with a limited number of coaches.
Times for players to arrive and depart will also be staggered so only a set number of people will be at the training ground at one time.
In other Newcastle United news, Kevin Phillips has tipped the club to sign up midfielder as “world beater” plan revealed.