Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce admits he expects more from Jamal Lewis this new season.

Bruce admits Lewis' first season at the club was a 'big learning curve' for the Northern Ireland international.

Lewis joined the Magpies last summer amid much fanfare from Norwich City, having previously been courted by Liverpool earlier in the transfer window.

But while the 23-year-old's potential is enormous, he largely struggled to make an impact last term and played just six minutes of United's final 12 Premier League matches of the season.

However, he has returned to pre-season raring to go ahead of his second season on Tyneside and has been leading the team during their running sessions.

"He is a wonderful athlete, the kid," Bruce told NUFC TV.

"It was a big learning curve for him last year and he is only a young boy."