STEVE BRUCE insists the ongoing uncertainty over Newcastle United’s future ownership has not affected his preparations for the club’s return to Premier League action this weekend.

While Bruce has been trying to focus on preparing his players for the challenge of hosting Sheffield United on Sunday, Newcastle’s ‘Project Restart’ has taken place amid a backdrop of Amanda Staveley’s attempts to buy the club from Mike Ashley.

The Premier League have spent almost three months conducting their owners and directors’ test into Staveley’s bid, but are yet to deliver a verdict.

Bruce has not spoken to anyone about the ownership situation, so was unable to provide any sort of update at this morning’s pre-match press conference, which took place virtually over Zoom.

However, the Magpies manager is adamant he will not allow the feverish speculation over what might happen next to affect his side’s performances in the remaining nine games of the season.

He said: “Any distraction at boardroom of course creates a little bit of uncertainty. But I think the one thing we have experienced, is that for the supporters, it seems to have happened so many times. So people are becoming a little bit used to it.

“I can’t influence what’s happening above me. The only thing I can focus on really is making sure my staff (are happy) and the preparation of the players is in place. We can’t influence anything that’s happening above us at boardroom level.

“There’s obviously something rumbling along, and we’re all aware of it, but let’s just focus ourselves on the game on Sunday, the game on Wednesday, and the cup tie (against Manchester City) the following weekend. Let’s not make it a distraction or an excuse.”