STEVE Bruce emerged from his meeting with Mike Ashley in a positive mood.

The Newcastle United boss met with the club’s owner this week, after Ashley arrived in the North-East to take in the Magpies’ FA Cup win over Rochdale on Tuesday evening.

Their previous meeting took place back in early August, shortly after Bruce’s appointment.

Bruce is out to boost his squad during the transfer window and confirmed, ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Chelsea: “The meeting went very well, we reiterated what I’ve said. We showed what we are trying to do and he was fully supportive of it. We have one or two plates spinning and we hope to add to the squad. We have targets in mind, but I won’t just jump in for the sake of it.

“There’s funds available if we need it – but that’s always the case. He was interested in where we are looking, what type of player and he took a genuine interest. It was a very good meeting.

“We have had one or two in mind and we see if we can pull them off. There’s competition for big players along the line somewhere. We are trying all we possibly can.’’

Bruce, who expects Paul Dummett to be ruled out of action long-term after scans confirmed a severe hamstring injury while Dwight Gayle is expected to be missing for around four weeks, added: “Transfer plans have been in place since last September, then we have been planning what we are doing. He came to the game to have a look at what we are doing. It’s not like we’ve not been doing our jobs with him coming in January.

“When we identify who and what we can get then we ask the question

“He’s been fully supportive in strengthening the squad. He agrees we buy quality not quantity and that’s the mantra to improve. We have to get that bit of quality to bring it better.

“It’s wrong to talk about individuals, linked with about 58 players and I don’t want to comment on that.’’