STEVE BRUCE remains hopeful of making further additions ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline, after admitting he “still has a couple of plates spinning” when it comes to transfer matters.

Newcastle have made two signings this month, bringing in Nabil Bentaleb, who made his Magpies debut in this afternoon’s FA Cup draw with Oxford United, and Valentino Lazaro, who would have started today had his paperwork from Inter Milan come through in time.

Bruce is keen to sign a left-back this week, with Jetro Willems and Paul Dummett both having been ruled out for the rest of the season, and continues to track Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen in the hope of pulling off a deal.

There could also be departures this week, with a number of Newcastle’s fringe players having been told they can leave, and Bruce expects some more activity before the transfer window closes on Friday night.

The Newcastle boss said: “We’re still trying. It was a shame that (Lazaro) couldn’t get done in time to play. He’ll give us another bit of quality in the forward areas. We’ll see what happens next week, we’ve got a couple of plates spinning.”

Bruce refused to comment on today’s takeover developments, with a Saudi Arabian investment group involving financier Amanda Staveley having opened discussions with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

He said: “I think I’ve got enough worries of my own on the football side without having to worry about those stories (takeover).”

The Newcastle head coach was more expansive when it came to discussing his side’s failings as they failed to seriously trouble an Oxford side more used to playing in League One.

Joelinton spurned a decent late chance as he shot over, but the best opportunity of the game fell to Oxford, with Karl Darlow producing a decent save from Marcus Browne’s second-half shot.

Bruce said: “We’re frustrated, disappointed, upset. From the first minute to the last, we were never good enough in possession, the way we gave the ball away. Our whole demeanour wasn’t right, and when that happens and you get off to an awful start, it encourages Oxford who, let’s be fair, took part in the cup tie and made it difficult for us.

“But we made it difficult for ourselves the way we surrendered possession and turned the ball over, and the amount of mistakes we made. It was ridiculous. We’re still in the hat, that’s what we’ve got to look forward, and we’ll be better when we go to Oxford a week on Tuesday or whenever it is because basically I don’t think we could be as poor as we were today.”