STEVE BRUCE is hoping Newcastle United can complete the formalities of Valentino Lazaro’s loan move from Inter Milan in time for the Austrian to make his debut in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round game with Oxford United.

Lazaro flew into Tyneside overnight and is currently at Newcastle’s Little Benton training ground undergoing a medical.

The Magpies have agreed a £1.25m loan fee with Inter Milan, and have also negotiated a clause that will enable them to sign Lazaro permanently in the summer, which is understood to be worth around £20m.

Nabil Bentaleb is set to make his Newcastle debut tomorrow, having joined on loan from Schalke, and Bruce is hoping Lazaro will also get the green light to feature in his starting line-up.

He said: “He’s here. He’s in the building which is a good sign. We’ve been able to hold off a couple of clubs. Once he became available someone of his pedigree was always going to have a few options, but thankfully he’s chosen us.

“He’s here and we’re hoping we can get the paperwork done so he can play tomorrow. There was big talk of Leipzig, but I think the idea of coming here and playing in the Premier League appealed.

“He’ll give us an extra something going forwards. He can play in a few positions, but ultimately he’s an out-and-out wide player that can give us something else down the right-hand side. I’m delighted we’ve got him.”

Bruce refused to comment on reports linking Newcastle with a possible loan move for Danny Rose, but admitted he remains hopeful of completing another one or two additions ahead of next Friday’s transfer deadline.

He said: “A lot has been said and speculated about. From the moment I’ve walked through the door, I’ve had nothing but support. Here’s another couple of signings and we hope we’re not finished yet. In certain areas, we’re still a bit short with the problems we’ve got.”

Newcastle suffered two more injuries during Tuesday’s remarkable 2-2 draw at Everton, with Emil Krafth and Florian Lejeune both suffering problems that will keep them out of tomorrow’s game.

Andy Carroll will not feature tomorrow, but Allan Saint-Maximin should return to the starting line-up, having missed out at Goodison Park.

Bruce said: “Emil is going to miss the next six weeks. He battled on valiantly the other night, but he’s done his ankle ligaments. Flo picked up a groin injury scoring either the first or second one.

“Jo (Joelinton) is fine, we think. His was a kick which he had on his ankle, but we think he’s going to be okay.  Saturday might be too quick for Andy, but Allan will be involved. We’ve let him recover from last week, I think it would have been too much to play two games in 48 hours. But he looks okay.”