Mike Ashley set to back Steve Bruce in January as chief scout prepares for 2021 - Report

Steve Bruce will have the financial backing of Mike Ashley to bolster the Newcastle squad in the January transfer window, according to the Chronicle.

The newspaper have claimed that Ashley has indicated that he'll be more than willing to back Bruce when the transfer market reopens in the new year - if the manager feels as though new signings are necessary.

In fact, they’ve also stated that Steve Nickson (our chief scout and head of recruitment is already compiling an extensive list of players that Bruce could potentially recruit within the next two transfer windows.

This is a welcome surprise, with us famously dormant on the transfer front during the winter windows, often looking for loans and bargain deals at best at this time of year.

Somehow, Steve Bruce has convinced Mike Ashley to change his outdated transfer policy and it now seems as though he intends on investing in the team.

Considering the excellent working relationship that Bruce also holds with Lee Charnley - who plays an instrumental role in player recruitment - it’s likely that he will get the players that he actually wants; which hasn’t been the case for managers of the past.

Here’s to hoping we get a back-up striker, centre-back and left back with this financial backing!