Bruce is steeled to hold on to key men

Aug 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce is braced for further interest in his key men after knocking back inquiries about Kenwyne Jones and Danny Collins.

Bruce has re-iterated his ‘hands off’ message on Jones after receiving a £12m bid from a Premier League club last week – believed to be Stoke City. And although Bruce is hopeful of adding at least one more centre-back before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, he is unlikely to want to lose players’ player of the year Collins either.

But he would be open to offers for striker Daryl Murphy, who The Journal understands is being monitored by North East rivals Middlesbrough. Gareth Southgate lost striker Tunçay to Stoke City yesterday and, although he has other striking options under consideration, he may spend some of the cash on the £2m-rated Irish forward – who is not in Bruce’s first team plans.

It promises to be a hectic few days for Bruce as he completes the final stage of his extensive summer rebuilding of Sunderland. Bruce is set to lose at least three players before the transfer deadline with Paul McShane heading for Hull City and Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards talking to Ipswich over a possible £4m double switch.

More could be following them, however, with Bruce aware that several of the players in his plans will not be happy with merely sitting on the bench.

That problem could become more acute if Bruce manages to bring in reinforcements in defence.

The Black Cats have inquired about Hull City defender Michael Turner as Bruce looks to make at least “one more” addition to his squad. That would be in addition to John Mensah, who is waiting for the British embassy in Paris to grant him a visa.