Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has praised the impact assistant coach Graeme Jones since his midseason arrival.

Newcastle suffered six successive defeats in the weeks before Jones' appointment, but the black-and-whites have lost just four games since the assistant came in and Bruce has been pleased with the impact the 51-year-old has made behind the scenes.

"Well, look, I appreciate his input. He's had an input into the team which, obviously, I was hoping for," Bruce told reporters.

"A fresh idea, a fresh voice, on the training ground is never a bad thing. I must stress that he was always my number one choice.

"I did speak to two others but Graeme was the choice. I'm delighted. He's fitted in very well with the other lads who work with him.

"All my staff work tirelessly, especially in the situation we were in, to turn us around. We're very pleased with his input."