Steve Bruce

The Black Cats (9/1 – to be relegated in 2010-11) have suffered a disappointing start to the season, with just one point from their opening two matches.

Having been two-goals up on the opening day, they allowed Birmingham to take a point at the Stadium of Light before losing 1-0 at newly-promoted West Brom last weekend.

The goals they scored against Birmingham came from a Darren Bent (18/1 – Top Premier League Goalscorer) penalty and an own goal and then a blank sheet at the Hawthorns, highlighting further the need for fresh attacking blood.

Bruce surprised many by allowing Kenwyne Jones to join Premier League rivals Stoke earlier in the summer for £8million and is now looking to bring in a last-minute solution.

Despite signing Danny Welbeck on loan from Manchester United, the Black Cats boss admits further reinforcements are needed before August 31.

Bruce told the Daily Star: “It’s absolutely paramount that I replace Kenwyne Jones. I would not want to get to the end of the window without another striker here.

“We’ve got a couple of young lads in Danny Welbeck and Martyn Waghorn who will play their part, but they are young boys.”

Bruce claims to have “one or two irons in the fire” regarding potential new arrivals, but also stated that do deal is “imminent”.

Sunderland (Carling Cup 90 Mins Betting – Sunderland 4/1, Draw 16/5, Colchester 6/1)  have been linked with the likes of Peter Crouch and Roque Santa Cruz this summer, but it looks like Bruce could look abroad for the solution.

The former Wigan boss is believed to be targeting Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan, who impressed many onlookers during the World Cup.

The 24-year-old currently plays his football in France with Rennes and is likely to cost Sunderland in the region of £12million.

Things don’t get any easier for Bruce’s men, as they seek their first league win of the 2010-11 campaign, with Manchester City the visitors to the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Bruce has been boosted by the news though that Andy Reid and Anton Ferdinand could be fit to return this weekend, following a spell on the sidelines with hamstring problems.

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Sunderland

Bruce’s first-choice, Craig Gordon, has been ruled out for the first three months of the season after breaking his arm in training, while back-up Marton Fulop is set to depart before the new campaign kicks off.

Gordon’s injury and Fulop’s departure will leave Bruce with just Northern Irishman Trevor Carson, 22, and Belgian stopper Simon Mignolet, 21, as cover and the Black Cats boss admits he is hesitant to throw either youngster in at the deep end.

Bruce has now confirmed he is keen to sign James as a solution to his keeper crisis.

“He’s still England’s number one goalkeeper. He’d be a good short term signing for us,” said Bruce.

“But what we have to decide now is to whether make a signing or whether the two young keepers that we have are ready for the Premier League.

“The Premier League is a very tough place and we’ll have to take some time to think about whether they’re ready for that.”

James’ future is yet to be resolved and the 39-year-old remains technically a free-agent because Portsmouth are unable to offer him a deal due to their financial problems.

However, it is thought Pompey are eager for the former Liverpool man to remain at Fratton Park next season, with some reports suggesting he will be offered a role as a player-coach in a bid to entice James to stick with the struggling south coast club (Portsmouth 18/1 – npower Championship outright).

If James does decide to seek a fresh challenge Sunderland may still be left frustrated as SPL giants Celtic are known admirers of the England international. Polish keeper Artur Boruc has now joined Fiorentina and the Parkhead side are on the lookout for a new custodian, with James believed to be their number one target.

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Sunderland

Bruce’s first-choice, Craig Gordon, has been ruled out for the first three months of the season after breaking his arm in training, while back-up Marton Fulop is set to depart before the new campaign kicks off.

Gordon’s injury and Fulop’s departure will leave Bruce with just Northern Irishman Trevor Carson, 22, and Belgian stopper Simon Mignolet, 21, as cover and the Black Cats boss admits he is hesitant to throw either youngster in at the deep end.

Bruce has now confirmed he is keen to sign James as a solution to his keeper crisis.

“He’s still England’s number one goalkeeper. He’d be a good short term signing for us,” said Bruce.

“But what we have to decide now is to whether make a signing or whether the two young keepers that we have are ready for the Premier League.

“The Premier League is a very tough place and we’ll have to take some time to think about whether they’re ready for that.”

James’ future is yet to be resolved and the 39-year-old remains technically a free-agent because Portsmouth are unable to offer him a deal due to their financial problems.

However, it is thought Pompey are eager for the former Liverpool man to remain at Fratton Park next season, with some reports suggesting he will be offered a role as a player-coach in a bid to entice James to stick with the struggling south coast club (Portsmouth 18/1 – npower Championship outright).

If James does decide to seek a fresh challenge Sunderland may still be left frustrated as SPL giants Celtic are known admirers of the England international. Polish keeper Artur Boruc has now joined Fiorentina and the Parkhead side are on the lookout for a new custodian, with James believed to be their number one target.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Steve Bruce

The west Londoners kick-start a potentially-pivotal day in the race for the Premier League title when they take on Liverpool at Anfield (1/2 Chelsea 6/4 Man United – Premier League outright).

Carlo Ancelotti’s men know nothing but victory will keep alive their hopes of a first domestic crown since 2006.

Bruce’s old employers are chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title – and record 19th domestic success – but must first hope their fiercest rivals down the East Lancs Road lend a helping hand.

Bruce has never managed a side to victory against Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in 14 attempts but has dismissed any notion of his players simply rolling over to accommodate United.

Significantly, Bruce, a winner of three Premier League titles and three FA Cup, as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup, during a trophy-laden stint at Old Trafford, revealed the thought of a cake walk on Wearside would not have entered his old manager’s thoughts.

“The one thing I know after working with Sir Alex is that he won’t expect any favours because he knows that isn’t in the remit,” he said.

Chelsea and Aston Villa remain the only teams to have left the Stadium of Light with maximum points this season. The Black Cats have taken the prize scalps of the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham and Bruce is adamant his players will want to end their home campaign in style.

Sunderland also came within a whisker of beating United earlier this season before a last-gasp Anton Ferdinand own goal spared United blushes.

Bruce added: “We seriously believe we can win and we really want to win, too,” Bruce said. “All this stuff about just because I played there for 10 years I want to lose… What am I going to say to the players: ‘Oh, by the way lads, just forget it today?’”

Full-back Alan Hutton is suspended for the visit of United but fellow defender Michael Turner, who was substituted at half-time against his former club Hull with an arm injury, has returned to training.

John Mensah (hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (calf) have also trained in recent days and are in contention, but Andy Reid, who had surgery on a calf problem this week, is missing with George McCartney (hamstring).

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