Former Sunderland defender Nedum Onuoha says Newcastle United need to stick with manager Steve Bruce.

Onuoha, who played for Bruce at Sunderland, believes Newcastle should stick with Bruce or not after a takeover depends on their identity moving forward.

He told ChronicleLive: "It's a tough one to say.

“Ultimately it will depend on the fans, and it will depend on the playing staff moving forward.

“I think if these new owners come in and say they want to immediately buy players who are worth £50m-plus, and the balance between flair and grit is going more towards flair, then maybe he's not going to be the right person.

“I suspect the fans will still want to see a balance of the two.

“So, for example, someone like Almiron, he was a great player in the MLS. He's not achieved the same in England yet, but one thing you can't take away from him is the fact he works incredibly hard for the team.

“But if they buy big-money players who when going through bad spells won't work as hard, I don't think the fans will stand for it, and that frustration could end up being vented towards the manager.

“I think, as long as the new owners are just looking to add to their identity instead of completely changing it, he is 100% the right man for the job."