Steve Bruce stands by Herita Ilunga comments

Nov 6 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

However, Sunderland’s manager also knows when to be a diplomat and he insisted there was no lasting damage caused by the spat.

He said: “I had a drink with Steve after the game and I will next time I see him. It is all part and parcel of the game and gives you something to talk about.

“It is water under the bridge, we got a response from Steve and he won the other night (against Aston Villa) and I am pleased about that and I don’t think he will give a monkeys. It’s all forgotten.”

While Bruce may have felt Jones was harshly treated by referee Andre Marriner, he has little sympathy for the Trinidad and Tobago international, who will miss tomorrow’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur through suspension.

With Cana and Lee Cattermole injured and John Mensah and Bolo Zenden also missing, the Black Cats travel to White Hart Lane with a patched-up squad that will include untried Irish youngster David Meyler.

Bruce added: “We have to go into next three games without Kenwyne. We will miss him and he will be a big miss because the strike force has been the reason why we are where we are because we are always a threat going forward.

“Thankfully Fraizer (Campbell) came through training this week. He hurt his thigh in the game against Villa and we think he will be okay. Mensah and Zenden won’t make it, so we are without four or five, which will be a test us, but that’s the way Premier League is.

“We’ve played five games away from home. We’ve done very well against Bolton and Manchester United, but it we play like we did at Burnley we will get our backsides kicked. If we play like we did at Man U, we have got a chance.”