Ritchie refused to be quizzed on Bruce bust-up

MATT RITCHIE refused to be put up for interview by newcastle United after his training-ground bust-up with Steve Bruce.

It is understood the club wanted the winger to speak to rightsholders in the wake of his clash with the manager, in which he called Bruce a coward.

It would have been hoped for Ritchie to echo Bruce’s stance that all parties had moved on and that the interview would show a united front in their fight for survival.

However, we are told the 31-yearold said he did not want to do it.

Ritchie has not featured since Sportsmail revealed details of his showdown with Bruce earlier this month, in which the manager barged into the player in front of his stunned team-mates.

Ritchie was upset with Bruce after the head coach blamed him for not passing on tactical instructions leading to Wolves’ equalising goal during last month’s 1-1 draw.

Ritchie apologised for calling Bruce a coward and the boss said the matter was behind them when he next spoke to the media, although he also revealed he had launched an investigation to discover why the information had appeared in this newspaper.

newcastle have drawn both of their games since the incident — against West Bromwich and Aston Villa — leaving them two points above the bottom three.

A Fulham victory at home to Leeds tonight would see Bruce’s men drop into the relegation zone ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Brighton, who are one point above them in 16th position.