Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool after suffering a “freak” training-ground injury.
The 21-year-old, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise since making his top-flight debut as a substitute at Anfield on Boxing Day last year, damaged an ankle blocking a cross during Thursday’s session.
Bruce said: “It’s one of those awful ones. He goes to stop a cross and gets his ankle caught. It’s one of those freak ones that unfortunately happen.
“You come off the pitch and we’re all disappointed. We’ve lost a player to a freak accident, but that’s what happens in football. Sometimes, you miss out.”
In the meantime, former Manchester United defender Bruce will attempt to end the Magpies’ 25-year wait for a league win at Anfield.
He said: “A record is always there to be broken. They haven’t lost at home for two and a half years and are the European champions. They are as good as you get. We hope to catch them on an off day.
“Up front, they are as good as I’ve seen so we’re going to have to defend well, but you have to try to enjoy it.”
Bruce, whose United side pipped the Magpies to the title in 1995-96, said: “I remember the two 4-3s, [Stan] Collymore getting the goal, unfortunately, in the last minute.
“They were great games, and they obviously helped us at the time at Manchester United.”
