Under-fire Steve Bruce avoids questions from written press ahead of Newcastle United v Leeds United

Newcastle United’s head coach has spoken to TV and radio broadcasters ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League home game.

However, there was no separate section for questions from written journalists, and the press conference, which followed a 10th game without a win for Bruce’s relegation-threatened team, was ended after the last broadcaster asked a question.

Bruce – who has come in for more criticism on Tyneside following a series of hugely-disappointing performances – was not by broadcasters asked why he was not going to take questions from written journalists.

Asked about United's form, Bruce said: “There’s no disputing we’re on a difficult run. The quicker you get a result the better. As I’ve said many times we’re not alone in the Premier League. All you can do is prepare as best you can, and ignore the noise.”

Bruce, appointed in the summer of 2019 following Rafa Benitez’s departure, also insisted that he would never “shy away” from the challenge at United, his boyhood club.

"I’ve been in it a long, long time,” said the 60-year-old. “It’s my job to take training and get the team as best prepared as I possibly can. All that experience, you draw on it. The one thing I never do is shy away.”

Newcastle are 16th in the Premier League – and seven points above the relegation zone – ahead of the Leeds game. The club is bottom of the Premier League’s five-game form table.