LOYAL FAMILY

Toon owner Ashley rallies the troops as the club look to unite behind Bruce who says: Let’s erase memories of Brighton by rubbing out Tottenham

UNDER-FIRE Steve Bruce has revealed Newcastle owner Mike Ashley sent a message to “rally the troops” ahead of their ninegame scramble to beat the drop.

Newcastle have

Allan Saint maximin fit again to face Spurs tomorrow, with nine-goal Callum Wilson still battling for full fitness, but not completely ruled out.

Bruce retains the backing of the Sports Direct tycoon for now, and Ashley is demanding his £100million-a-year squad buck their ideas up after their surrender last time out to Brighton.

Ashley (above) acted within 24 hours to quell speculation Bruce would be sacked a fortnight ago after that 3-0 loss.

He also intervened this week to back his coach behind the scenes and ask for maximum effort from the stars he has awarded big contracts to.

Newcastle have won just two of their last 20 games in a startling malaise that has left Geordie fans dismayed, and fearing a third relegation in 14 years under Ashley.

United’s last two relegation since 2009 and 2016 saw Ashley axe Joe Kinnear and Steve Mcclaren with eight and 10 games to go. Appointing Alan Shearer and Rafa Benitez didn’t keep the club up. This time round Ashley appears to be backing Bruce’s experience to lead through a storm and keep his club ahead of third-bottom Fulham.

But Bruce wants to stay even if he cannot secure Premier League survival.

“I hope I am still the manager of Newcastle next year,” said Bruce. “I can only focus on the next nine games. The last thing I’ll do is walk away. I am determined to see it through.

“The owner sent his support to rally the troops and get behind everyone. Nothing has changed. I realise the performance against Brighton was simply not good enough. Let’s erase that against a very good Spurs team. Let’s be ready for that challenge.”

Bruce admitted it had been a difficult two weeks for him.

“It has been tough. When you take the Newcastle job there is no shying away from it,” he added.

“You rely on your family and staff to put it right, and you draw on experience.

“To do 980 games there is experience. In some people’s eyes you’d have thought I’d done half a dozen.”

Wilson has not played since February 6 after damaging his hamstring in United’s last win against Southampton and has missed six games. He is “more likely” to be ready to face Burnley next week.

Saint-maximin hurt his groin against Wolves, and has missed three games.

Asked how training had gone, Bruce added: “We have had six or seven away on international duty. The cruel side in the last weeks has been the injuries.”