Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has had a furious training ground bust-up with Matt Ritchie, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail reports the expletive-laden bust-up — witnessed by stunned team-mates on Tuesday — leaves Bruce's position under threat, with several players no longer trusting the manager, especially after he publicly blamed them for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Ritchie was furious when Bruce, during his post-match interview, accused him of not passing on tactical instructions to the team amid the confusion before Wolves' equalising goal.

He is said to have telephoned Bruce after the game and wanted to have it out there and then. Bruce said he would speak to the 31-year-old at training on Tuesday. It is said this caused Ritchie further irritation.

However, when assistant boss Steve Agnew was sent to the training pitch to tell Ritchie that Bruce was ready to see him in his office, the player refused and said he was not speaking to the "coward" again.

A livid Bruce emerged to confront Ritchie and this is when their incredible exchange unfolded.