Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce insists Yoshinori Muto still has a future with the Magpies.

Bruce was asked what his situation was after Muto was an unused substitute in the dire 0-0 draw at Brighton.

He said: “Look, I'll sit down with Muto. He hasn't had the best of times under me, gamewise.

“He's a great pro, trains well, so I've got no problem with him.

“No issues, it's just that we have forward players at the minute who are ahead of him."

Muto has started just seven Premier League games since his £9.5million move from the Bundesliga.