EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle and assistant manager Graeme Jones involved in training-ground showdown with captain Jamaal Lascelles forced to break pair up as tempers flare 

• Newcastle's Dwight Gayle involved in row with assistant manager Graeme Jones 
• Training-ground showdown had to be broken up by captain Jamaal Lascelles
• A source told Sportsmail both men told each other: 'It's always about you' 
• Incident comes after team meeting where Steve Bruce angered some players 
• Bruce says it is 'not in my nature to walk away' as pressure on his job mounts 

Newcastle assistant boss Graeme Jones and striker Dwight Gayle were involved in a training-ground showdown this week, with captain Jamaal Lascelles forced to step in after tempers flared.

The club’s Tyneside base has been a fiery environment in recent days amid growing dissatisfaction among some players with manager Steve Bruce, who insisted on Thursday he would not quit despite fans calling for him to go.

Sources close to the players say they remain united as a team and are determined to get their first win of the season at home to Leeds United on Friday evening, even though there is deep frustration with Bruce.

That was evident on Tuesday when the 60-year-old called a meeting, only to anger some players by what they felt was his misguided use of running statistics. There is also a feeling that the training schedule is designed to suit Bruce, not the team.

There was later a bad-tempered exchange between Gayle and Jones, who was part of England’s coaching staff at Euro 2020. Gayle is frustrated at not playing, despite signing a new contract and training well of late.

A source said: ‘There was a head-to-head after a disagreement. Jones said, “It’s always about you, Gayley”. Dwight wasn’t having it and said, “It’s been all about you since you’ve been with England”. Jamaal had to get between them.

‘This can happen between players, but when management are involved it’s never a good sign.

‘This came after the morning meeting which didn’t go down well with some. They were like, “What is he (Bruce) talking about?”’

Bruce, whose side are 19th in the Premier League table, was asked on Thursday whether he would walk away if fan opposition remained.

‘It’s not in my nature to walk away from something when I’m in a fight,’ he said. ‘I would be sick if I said I enjoyed it (fan chants). But the frustration is, if you don’t get results, the manager bears the brunt. I have to accept results haven’t been good enough.’

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow returned to Newcastle’s squad last Saturday and could replace Freddie Woodman against Leeds. Winger Ryan Fraser is also back in contention following an ankle injury.