Christian Atsu has been handed a career lifeline by Newcastle United - after being restored to the Magpies' Premier League squad.
The Ghana international was frozen out of the squad for the first half of the season, and after Newcastle failed to sign a senior player on deadline day, Atsu has been handed the spare space made available by DeAndre Yedlin's departure to Galatasaray.
Newcastle made the decision to release Achraf Lazaar on a free transfer yesterday after coming to a financial settlement and talks with Henri Saivet for a similar arrangement are said to be ongoing.
But Atsu will come back into the squad for the final 16 games of the season.
Bruce said today: "Christian Atsu comes back into it.
"There's only him or Henri Saivet to choose from so it was pretty straight-forward."
Atsu has made one appearance this season in the League Cup in the 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers but played 24 times last season for Bruce.
The former Chelsea and Everton man could even be in the squad to face Southampton tomorrow.
Atsu's current deal runs out at the end of the season.
