Steve Bruce believes Newcastle will avoid relegation from Premier League

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce believes his side will avoid relegation from the Premier League, despite falling to within three points of the drop zone.

The Magpies lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday despite putting in a positive performance and drawing level early on at Old Trafford.

Speaking post-match, Bruce acknowledged the danger brought on by losing and 18th-placed Fulham's improved form recently.

"Fulham have had a good week and won a couple of games, which at the bottom end of the table is big," Bruce said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

He added that the predicament Newcastle find themselves in is 'gloomy', but ultimately believes they'll be fine.

"My message to the supporters is that I'm convinced we'll be ok," Bruce added.

"Of course fans don't want to see their team at the wrong end of the table, I understand that totally. We have a unique fan base which makes us the club we have got, and of course they are anxious".

Newcastle were last relegated from the Premier League in the 2015/16 season when they finished 18th, despite going the final six games of the season unbeaten.

Scott Parker's Fulham have managed to turn performances into results since the turn of the new year while Newcastle have struggled. They have lost just one game from the five they have played in February so far, winning two and drawing two.

That form has put them within just three points of Newcastle and, while their fixture list is looking tougher with games against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool on the horizon, they are scheduled to play Bruce's side on the final day of the season in what could potentially be a playoff for Premier League survival.

Newcastle host Wolves next in the Premier League, but lost Joelinton to injury against United and cannot afford to add him to a treatment list that already includes top scorer Callum Wilson.