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

PA Sport says Bruce is set to cling to his job at Newcastle amid mounting fury over a rapidly decaying season.

The Magpies became the first side to lose a Premier League game to seemingly doomed Sheffield United on Tuesday evening when they went down 1-0 at Bramall Lane to stretch their own run without victory to eight games in all competitions.

Newcastle remain eight points clear of the relegation zone, although Fulham in 18th place have two games in hand, but they have collected only two of the last 18 on offer and scored only four goals in the process.

However, Bruce is in no immediate danger in the short term, with owner Ashley desperately trying to sell the club and in no mood to launch a search for a replacement in such volatile times.