MATT RITCHIE has apologised for his part in the training-ground bust-up that has exposed the fault lines that currently exist at Newcastle United.

As reported in the Daily Mail, Ritchie reacted angrily to Bruce’s accusations that he failed to correctly pass on tactical information during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves, resulting in the concession of Ruben Neves’ equalising goal.

Ritchie is understood to have telephoned Bruce after the game, but the pair did not discuss the situation until their paths crossed on the training ground on Tuesday.

Ritchie is alleged to have described Bruce as a “coward”, while it is claimed Bruce shoulder-barged into the Scottish midfielder during the pair’s argument.

Bruce is reported to have told Ritchie, “What are you going to do? Tell Lee Charnley”, before the pair eventually calmed down.

The flashpoint comes at the end of a difficult week for Bruce, with the leaking of his decision to drop Karl Darlow having been badly received within the Newcastle dressing room.

A number of players, including Darlow, are understood to have been disappointed at the way in which news of the goalkeeper’s demotion became public knowledge before it had actually been confirmed by the Newcastle boss.

As well as criticising Ritchie in the wake of Sunday’s draw, Bruce also aimed critical comments at Martin Dubravka and Jamal Lewis over the concession of Wolves’ goal and Joelinton over the late miss that resulted in the game finishing 1-1.

Ritchie, who came close to rejoining Bournemouth on transfer deadline-day at the start of last month, is understood to have apologised to players and staff for his conduct on Wednesday.

Newcastle have not made an official comment on the situation, but an increasingly embattled Bruce is due to give his version of events at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s game at West Brom tomorrow morning.