Steve Bruce is confident the future is bright

Jul 18 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

STEVE Bruce has been given plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Sunderland’s future as he revealed he has been fending off interest in the club’s young talent all summer.

Jordan Henderson and Martyn Waghorn – two of the teenagers much hyped by former Sunderland boss and Bruce confidante Roy Keane – both played for the Wearsiders in their 4-0 friendly win over Darlington on Thursday night.

And Bruce has been impressed with what he has seen from the group of youngsters who have emerged from the Academy over the last two years as he looks to involve as many as possible in the first team during pre-season preparations.

Keane is thought to be just one of the Championship managers looking to take either Henderson or Waghorn on loan at Ipswich next season, but it looks as though Bruce will keep them on Wearside for the time being as he works out whether they are ready to feature in the Premier League.

He said: “I’ve had more phone calls from other managers wanting to take the young boys than about anybody else and that’s testament to the Academy and Ged McNamee.

“I can understand now why they won their league so easily last season, they’re a good crop. I was really impressed with them all against Darlington.

“I thought Jordan (Henderson) did very well and (Martyn) Waghorn was impressive when he came on, they all acquitted themselves very well.

“They’ve given me food for thought about maybe going into the first team.