Steve Bruce is set to be named the new manager of Newcastle United on Friday, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claims Sheffield Wednesday have given Bruce permission to talk to his boyhood club, with whom they are now negotiating a compensation package.
The 58-year-old has taken charge of just 18 Wednesday matches, the lowest amount of any Owls boss – tied with Peter Eustace.
But it was long enough to familiarise himself with the squad of players that was largely left behind by his predecessor, Jos Luhukay.
But which, if any, of those could Bruce consider taking with him to Newcastle?
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Let’s take a look…
Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday)
The Wednesday midfielder, Barry Bannan (Photo by David Shipman – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Isaac Hayden has been tipped to move south this summer, while the futures of Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback and Henri Saivet are also uncertain. That could leave Newcastle with gaps to fill in central midfield, and although Bannan is unlikely to top Bruce’s list, he might well be on it, having been praised by his current boss while playing both for and against him.
Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Wednesday midfielder, Josh Onomah (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Another player who could solve any centre-mid shortage, Onomah was signed by Bruce at Aston Villa and inherited by him at Wednesday. According to the Star, the Owls have held talks to bring back the Tottenham Hotspur youngster, although Bruce’s exit could put an end their hopes of another loan deal. If offered it, a chance to impress at Premier League level is one that Onomah would surely not turn down.
Adam Reach (Sheffield Wednesday)
The Wednesday winger, Adam Reach (Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Only Bannan (16) scored or made more goals for Wednesday than Reach (15) last season, and the latter player is due a move to the Premier League soon. Whether or not Newcastle – of whom Reach, like Bruce, has been a fan since childhood – would be interested remains to be seen – and there is currently no shortage of wingers on Tyneside – but how many other Owls players could make that step up?
