Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is standing by manager Steve Bruce.

ChronicleLive reports Ashley is not set to take any immediate action when it comes to the managerial situation at St James' Park - regardless of what happens in the next couple of games.

Bruce heads to Watford this weekend without a win to his name this season before an equally testing clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers a week later to take us up to the next international break.

However, Ashley is prepared to give Bruce and his coaching team time to turn things around.

And like last season the club's hierarchy may only consider changing their stance if Newcastle become cut adrift in the relegation zone going into the winter period.