Titus Bramble will welcome a Black Cats move

Jun 8 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Bruce has returned to Portugal for a family holiday following his unveiling as Sunderland boss, but has discussed potential transfer targets with Quinn and preliminary recruitment work has begun. Any bid for Bramble and Cattermole, though, will have to wait until Wigan have appointed a new manager. Latics chairman Dave Whelan is confident he will be able to unveil Spaniard Roberto Martinez as Bruce’s successor later this week, although he will not be keen to lose two of his best players as soon as he arrives.

However, Bramble is able to negotiate a Bosman-style free transfer in just six months time; Wigan would rather accept a sizeable bid now than let that happen, playing into Sunderland’s hands.

When asked about what influence Bruce has had on his career earlier this year Bramble said: “I think I have been in the form of my life. Confidence in myself is very high, playing in a good team with good coaching staff around me.

“Last season, and maybe the year before, I started to doubt myself. But the manager helped restore belief in me.” And Bruce also believes that Bramble would be able to cope with a move back to a big club after claiming he was too young to play for Newcastle.

He said: “He was everyone’s laughing stock. When you analyse Titus, I think he was probably too young getting a big move to Newcastle.

“If he went to Newcastle now for £5.5m he would probably be equipped to do it. He has always had talent. He is big, strong, powerful and is a good user of the ball.

“Central defenders get better with age and it is about being in the right position, not making mistakes and, most importantly, concentration, and the concentration levels with Titus have improved unbelievably.”