Newcastle United caretaker boss John Carver is a big fan of Hull City manager Steve Bruce.

Geordie Bruce is a boyhood fan of the Magpies.

Carver told the Evening Chronicle: "I have had a few bottles of red wine with Steve. He's quite a nice social animal. Steve is a great guy, a top guy.

"He played at Wallsend Boys Club and is a local lad. This would have been his dream job, wouldn't it? But he is so professional and he wanted to stay with Hull when I know he was linked with this situation.

"His wife is from up here, they are lovely people, and his son (Alex) is playing there. He loves the area and the unfortunate thing is that he managed Sunderland."