Jack Colback's miserable stay at Newcastle United is effectively over after he picked up a knee injury in training.
Newcastle hoped to move Colback on in January but they are now likely to be stuck with the player until the end of the season.
Colback is expected to be out for four months meaning a January exit is not on the cards.
And Newcastle will need to pay him up until the end of his contract in June.
Bruce - who also has Henri Saivet on a similarly expensive weekly deal - admitted that the former Bordeaux skipper could leave.
After the game he said: "Colback hurt his knee so won't be available for four months.
"Saivet? It is best for everyone that he takes this opportunity to move on."
When asked if Jamie Sterry could be an option for the FA Cup game against Rochdale, he said: "Sterry is a young lad, in his position we are OK."
Newcastle have a mounting injury list after losing five players against Leicester.
When asked if he could turn to the kids for the clash at Rochdale, Bruce added: "We'll have to see who is available."
