Newcastle: Steve Bruce launches investigation to find a MOLE after confirming Matt Ritchie row

Steve Bruce has confirmed he had a training ground bust-up with Matt Ritchie and has now launched an investigation to find what he believes is a mole inside his training ground.

He also denied leaking a story himself about goalkeeper Karl Darlow being dropped last week and said he would resign had he done that.

Earlier this week, Sportsmail exclusively revealed that Bruce was involved in a row with Ritchie in training, with the winger branding his manager a ‘coward’. 

Asked about the incident in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Bruce said:  ‘There is no denying I had a row with Matt Ritchie. That happens at training grounds up and down every week.

‘You are dealing with 25 men and emotions run high and it is fiercely competitive.

‘Unfortunately with Newcastle it gets blown out of proportion. Matt apologised and for me personally it’s over.

‘It happens, but ours leaks into the media and causes a frenzy and with a big game coming up we could do without it.

‘As far as I’m concerned it’s over and we get on with it. The very following day he trained well and apologised in front of the staff and the players.’ 

Bruce also addressed claims that he was responsible for leaking news that Karlow Darlow would be dropped for last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolves.

‘I will have to say the story about Darlow that I’d go to a newspaper with an exclusive I find totally disgusting, Bruce said.

‘If I thought I’d do that I’d resign tomorrow.

‘It’s certainly not true, it’s unfair on Karl and arguably over the last 18 months that has been the most difficult decision to make.

‘Yes it is true I had a row or argument with a player, the rest of it is total nonsense.

‘We have to draw a line under it and move on.’

More to follow.