'Look at Aston Villa, look at Leeds' - Former Newcastle United star sends message to Mike Ashley

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley. (Photo by LEE SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Magpies head coach is aiming to bolster his squad with new recruits after enduring a relegation battle last season.

Joe Willock was key to United’s surge away from the bottom three – and Bruce has publicly revealed his desire to sign the midfielder permanently from Arsenal.

The 21-year-old is unlikely to come cheap and Gillespie has urged Ashley to take a leaf out of West Ham, Aston Villa and Leeds United’s book by improving the squad.

Gillespie told Football FanCast: “I do think Steve Bruce will be there next season but I hope he gets given the right amount of money in the transfer market to go and strengthen the squad and go and possibly do what the likes of West Ham have done.

“Look at Aston Villa, look at Leeds, go and improve, don’t just be happy with being mediocre and surviving, go and improve on that.”

Ashley is still fighting for the Amanda Staveley-brokered takeover to be approved.

West Ham opener selected for live TV coverage

Newcastle’s 2021/22 Premier League opener at home to West Ham has been selected for live TV coverage and as a result, had its kick-off time changed.

The encounter at St James’s Park will be shown live on Sky Sports on Sunday, August 15, with kick-off at 2pm.

Unlike last season, not all top-flight matches will be live broadcasted as it is hoped supporters will be back inside stadiums across the country.