'I do feel for him' - Former England defender reveals sympathy for Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce

Relegation fears are growing at St James’s Park following Fulham’s upturn in form and the fact the Magpies have won just twice in their previous 15 games.

Bruce’s latest defeat as head coach came at Chelsea on Monday as their advantage over the relegation places was reduced to seven points following the Cottagers’ win at Everton.

By the time Newcastle kick-off against Manchester United on Sunday, the gap could stand at just one point with Scott Parker’s men facing Burnley and Sheffield United.

Mills, however, feels the Magpies need 10 points to secure survival – which he expects them to achieve – and voiced his sympathy towards Bruce due to recent injuries.

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Football show, Mills said: “When you look player for player, it’s difficult to judge them against Chelsea, you’ve got to judge them against the teams around them and maybe that’s where Newcastle fans have been most disappointed when they’ve played those teams in the bottom half of the table.

"Maybe up until the last couple of weeks, they haven’t really gone for it, they haven’t put other teams under pressure and tried to score as often as they would like.

"When you're playing Chelsea, it’s very, very difficult because you know Chelsea will dominate the ball.

"What options do you really have? (Allan) Saint-Maximin was out for a long, long time and now you’re missing Callum Wilson your top striker.

"It hasn’t been easy from day one for Steve Bruce and I do feel for him in that way.

"They’re probably 10 points away from safety, they need 10 points in this last sort of third of the season. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t get that at all.”