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Bruce welcomes fans' return and 'step towards being normal again' ahead of Blades clash
Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce believes Wednesday’s return of supporters to St. James’ Park is a “step towards being normal again” as his side get set to face Sheffield United in their final home game of the season (6pm kick-off).
United face the Blades in front of 10,000 fans in what will be their first and final home outing in front of a crowd in the penultimate fixture of 2020/21.
With safety assured, Bruce wants his side to finish the campaign well against the already-relegated Sheffield United and Fulham, who they face at the weekend.
But with fans set to return to St. James’ on Wednesday, Bruce says it will be a huge boost to his charges - and hopes it proves to be a step in the right direction after what has been a challenging year.
"I think we’ll start feeling it when we arrive tomorrow, and you see supporters and spectators," he said. "We had a flavour of it with the (FA) Cup final at the weekend and all of a sudden it’s a wonderful spectacle, (and) last night with the play-offs, watching Barnsley and the atmosphere they created.
"I've said it before - it's been absolutely weird playing in front of nobody. At the start, it took some getting used to. But it's a step towards being normal again, and we've all said it: if we ever need reminding what we play football for, what we're in it for, it's supporters and the spectacle of it.
"I'm sure people will go to the pub and have a few beers, and go to the pub afterwards and discuss all the things that make this great game what it is."
Bruce has no fresh injury worries in his squad ahead of the contest with Paul Heckingbottom’s men.
Both Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser returned to training this week, but are unlikely to feature before the end of the campaign as they work their way back from knee and groin injuries respectively.
The reverse fixture brought one of the Magpies’ worst moments of the season, as they were beaten 1-0 at Bramall Lane by Billy Sharp’s penalty after Fraser had been sent off.
And head coach Bruce is keen to avoid a repeat of what he described as one of his side’s “dark moments”, while warning that the Blades - who have improved in recent weeks, and beat Everton 1-0 last time out - should not be taken lightly.
"It was certainly one of the dark moments of the season, if you like. I certainly picked the wrong team, so I have to take the full responsibility of it," he said.
"That was one of the awful parts of the winter. Our performance at Sheffield was nowhere near the levels, and rightly so we didn’t get a result.
"I’ve got enormous respect for Chris (Wilder) and what he build there. They’ve been relegated but they won at Goodison a few days ago, and they’ve won at Old Trafford. That’s the beauty of the Premier League and how tough it is - that doesn’t happen in other leagues.
"They are genuine and honest group of players who've had a wonderful few years. This year it hasn't quite happened for them but I've still got a huge respect for them, and if we don’t show them that then they'll be difficult for us because they’re still a very decent side."
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