Steve Bruce has revealed his admiration for Aleksandar Mitrovic - and suggested he would not have sold him as Newcastle United boss.
The Serbia international was sold to Fulham for £27million in 2018 with Bruce believing he was "too good" for the Sky Bet Championship.
Mitrovic returns to Tyneside and the threat of haunting his old club is hovering over St James' Park
Bruce said: "I would have loved the opportunity to work with him.
"He was great up here and you can understand why he's a cult hero.
"He's different. Big, tough, strong, fiercely competitive, has a bit of an edge to him, a bit like the North East."
Mitrovic has bagged 40 goals for Fulham since leaving Newcastle.
Bruce reflected: "He transformed Fulham in the Championship
"He was too good for the Championship."
