STEVE BRUCE has blamed hefty ticket prices after the lowest attendance figures for almost a decade were recorded against Southampton today and called on Newcastle United to do all they can to entice supporters back to St James’ Park.

The Magpies’ 3-1 victory was their third in five games and moved into the top half of the Premier League, but only 42,303 were there to see it — that is around 10,000 short of the stadium’s capacity.

Crowds have been much lower this season compared to previous years, with many fans vowing to stay away in protest against Bruce’s predecessor Rafael Benitez’s summer exit and the club’s owner Mike Ashley.