Bruce's over-stacked in-tray: win over a shellshocked dressing room, convince Longstaff to ignore United's advances, prove he's NOT just an Ashley 'yes man'... and deal with Shelvey and Darlow's off-field drama

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After Steve Bruce signed on the dotted line to become manager of his hometown club, the scale of the task ahead immediately became apparent.

In taking over from Rafael Benitez, Bruce faces pressure from the off to not only step into sizeable boots but also work underneath one of the most controversial owners in English football, Mike Ashley.

Sportsmail takes a look at the boxes Bruce needs to tick in order to be able to even consider his time at St James' Park a success. 

With Rafael Benitez gone, Steve Bruce must now fill huge shoes at his hometown club

Make a strong first impression

Bruce is entering a dressing room full of senior players who are both in a state of shock and very likely a degree of disillusionment.

The likes of Matt Ritchie have already admitted it was both surprising and disappointing to see Benitez depart.

'To see the manager leave was disappointing. He had a good reign at the club,' Ritchie said as the Spaniard headed to China.

'It was a decision made between the manager and the owner.'  

Now Bruce must assert himself immediately, prove his calibre to senior stars and avoid dwelling on the Benitez era.

Bruce must make an immediate impression on his new players to have a chance of success

Convince stars to stay

A huge requirement for Bruce is to actually keep this squad together, which is much easier said than done given Ashley's track record of accepting bids.

Solid goalkeeper Martin Dubravka wants out, while youth sensation Sean Longstaff has already asked to speak with Manchester United.

With the new campaign around the corner and signings yet to be made, Bruce finds himself immediately in a position where he has to sell his project to the players in order to prevent the exit door at St James' Park swinging on its hinges. 

Highly-rated youngster Sean Longstaff wants to speak to Manchester United this summer

Find an entire new front-line

Perhaps feeling immediately hamstrung in his new role, Bruce takes over at a time when Newcastle have just parted with their two most potent points of attack.

The relentless Salomon Rondon, who was so appreciated by Benitez, has joined the Spaniard in Asia. 

Meanwhile Ayoze Perez now dons the blue of Leicester City after Ashley wasted no time in accepting a bid. 

The Spaniard regularly provided flashes of brilliance and inspiration for the Toon Army, and with Joselu having also left, Bruce can currently call only upon Dwight Gayle, who spent last season in the Championship.

Joelinton looks set for a move after Hoffenheim confirmed talks are ongoing with Newcastle, but Bruce must add more firepower during what remains of the window.

Salomon Rondon was a driving force in the forward line but has moved on from the club

Bolster a depleted squad

It's rather the running theme, but the Toon squad is in serious need of bodies.

As thing stands Bruce is overseeing the bones of a team which will be lucky to last a full campaign. What makes things worse, is many of those remaining at St James' Park are players who Benitez did not place faith in or hold in high regard.

Is Bruce in a position to get the most out of players who Benitez - a Champions League winning manager - could not? It seems highly unlikely.

Jack Colback, Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar were among those shunned by the previous regime, though Bruce must decide whether to incorporate them into his plans. As things currently stand, he has little other choices.

After also losing Mo Diame, Bruce now has 22 days to bring in personnel and structure some form of coherent battle-plan to tackle the toughest league in world football.

Players like Achraf Lazaar weren't trusted under Benitez but now form the bulk of Bruce's side

Stand up to Ashley

It's never the best idea to immediately cause resistance against your new boss, but it was in this area where Benitez earned the respect of the Newcastle faithful.

Bruce finds himself in an awkward position whereby the man who has just enabled him to manage his boyhood club is also a symbol of contempt among the fanbase.

After it emerged that Bruce was not even on the initial shortlist to become manager, the notion that Ashley has brought him in to simply be a 'yes man' does not seem far-fetched.

In order to carve out his own chapter in the club's history, Bruce must avoid this at all costs. Be headstrong from the front, and the fans will follow. 

Speaking out when things simply are not right will go a long way to building bridges with the fanbase, who desperately need to see somebody is on their side and cares passionately about the club.

Mike Ashley is one of the most controversial owners in English football and has alienated fans

Unite the disenchanted fan-base

Newcastle has long since been known as one of the biggest football cities in the United Kingdom, with loyal supporters who would walk over hot coals to see their team play.

Boycotts are already planned for the coming season, with many of the Toon Army simply at their wits' end.

Bringing the fans back around will be a hugely tough challenge for Bruce. While they will want to give him support, many have simply been through too much under the Ashley reign to invest themselves once again while he remains in charge.

As it always the case in football, only one thing is likely to ease this task along - results.

Somehow Bruce must get as much right as possible behind the scenes between now and the season opener against Arsenal on Sunday, August 11.

Regardless of how the supporters feel, their passion will never die. Victories stir passion, and boy does Bruce need to have those fans on side. 

Supporters are already planning boycotts as they plan to drive out Ashley once and for all

Disband the Newcastle fight club 

Jonjo Shelvey and Karl Darlow being caught up in an early-hours scrap in Morpeth has only added to Bruce's list of problems.

Newcastle are certain to investigate and Bruce now has to deal with the fall-out among his squad after the pair were revealed to be on a night out hours before travelling for the club's pre-season tour.