Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has welcomed Steve Harper back to his coaching staff.

The newly appointed first team coach will work with both the Under-23s and Bruce to help find the next young stars at Little Benton.

Bruce is looking forward to Harper's new input and said: "Make no mistake, it's a big role and a big responsibility he will have.

"But I think it's vitally important if we want to move the club forward if I have a foot in the camp to know what they are doing, when they're doing it and what they are doing it for.

"The most important thing is to find a new Longstaff - which one is the next one?

"Have we got anybody coming through?

"That is the art of an Academy and Steve will do alright."