Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has denied claims the club is "stagnating" under owner Mike Ashley.

Ashley's tenure is nearing its end with the proposed £300million Saudi-led takeover awaiting Premier League approval.

But Bruce, whose side have 43 points and are 13th in the Premier League, believes it is wrong to say the club is not moving forward.

"We've got a chance to have our third-highest points total in last 13 or 14 years, and one of them we finished fifth," said the head coach.

"So this myth the club is just stagnating – it's not right. And it's important we try to address that.

"We're trying to move forward. We've only been out of the Championship for three years.

"So this myth that we're just stagnating, and that we are just this horrible stale environment – it's not right.

"We're gradually improving, and the more you're in the Premier League, the more you improve, the better players you have – and that's our aim to keep improving. And add a little bit more quality to us."