This is your Newcastle United digest for January 16.
Lee Charnley meetings for Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce came out fighting after criticism that followed this week's Sheffield United defeat.
He admitted he was "under pressure" because results aren't going in his favour.
Bruce also said he felt some of the criticism was personal but admitted that the performance was "hopeless" and he had to take some of that on his own shoulders.
But he insisted he retained the support of the hierarchy and revealed continual dialogue with Lee Charnley - both in terms of meetings and "daily conversations".
"I’ve had the support of the club since I walked through the door. A continuous, daily conversation with the managing director - and that hasn’t changed," he said.
It's understood the club continue to back Bruce - although if they slip into relegation trouble that could be reconsidered. The team are currently seven points ahead of the drop zone.
Dwight Gayle latest
Fulham's interest in Dwight Gayle will come to nothing, it is being reported.
Gayle is out of contract at the end of the season and there are several clubs interested in Newcastle's back up striker. But with few options beyond Callum Wilson, United are almost certain to resist offers for their former number nine.
That means they run the risk of losing Gayle for nothing at the end of the season - just over a year since West Brom agreed a fee of £15million for the forward.
Gayle has interest from abroad and the Middle East and could bank a lucrative contract if he becomes a free agent. Boss Steve Bruce would prefer to renew his deal but there seems little prospect of that at the moment.
Allan Saint-Maximin returns to training today
Allan Saint-Maximin will make a welcome return to training today but the club still believe he is several weeks away from returning to the team.
The winger has been suffering with long COVID since November, with fatigue the major issue for Newcastle's player of the season.
The club continue to play it very gradually with Saint-Maximin. "Allan Saint-Maximin is training today or tomorrow which is good news but he's been out for around seven weeks so we'll have to monitor him," Bruce said.
