Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce admits they're in a relegation battle.

The Magpies saw their advantage over the bottom three dwindle to a single point over the weekend after they could only draw 0-0 at West Brom as Fulham claimed a shock victory at Liverpool.

Ahead of Friday's clash with Aston Villa, Bruce said: "We've understood that for a while now. If you're in the bottom six or seven... Look, we're not alone, I'm sure all the other managers will be getting asked the same question.

"We all don't want to be down there, we simply haven't won enough football matches not to be.

"It's quite simple: we have to understand what's before us and get enough points to make sure we stay here."

Newcastle's cause has not been helped by injuries to key attacking trio Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron and while all three will be missing for some time yet, head coach Bruce revealed they are making progress.

Asked about 10-goal leading scorer Wilson, he said: "He's four weeks in, so we're seeing him on the grass and he's progressing - and that goes for Allan and Almiron as well.

"We've just got to let nature take its course. We hope by the end of the international break they'll be there or thereabouts."