STEVE BRUCE is interested in taking former Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson to Newcastle United.

Bruce has long admired Gibson and has been interested in signing him in the past.

The new Newcastle head coach’s move to Tyneside, though, has created an opportunity for him to really test the water.

Gibson moved to Burnley for £15m last summer and the last 12 months have not gone as well as he would have liked.

Injury has also played a part but he was unable to hold down a first team place last season and now Bruce is hoping to add him to the Magpies’ ranks.

The 26-year-old centre-back was on the fringes of an England call a couple of seasons ago after impressing in the Premier League with Boro.

Now Bruce is looking for Newcastle to strike a deal that would hand Gibson a fresh chance to get going again and he would be closer to his Teesside roots.

Newcastle, who are expected to land Brazilian striker Joelinton this week, have also been credited with an interest in Nice’s winger Allan Saint-Maximin.