Kenwyne Jones is going nowhere

Mar 27 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVE Bruce says one-time Liverpool target Kenwyne Jones will not leave Sunderland in the summer - as he ponders an Anfield recall for the striker.

Jones’ future was the subject of febrile speculation in January as Rafa Benitez’s Reds, Birmingham City and Stoke all eyed a move for the Trinidad & Tobago forward.

But it was Liverpool’s interest, and the way Benitez appeared to try and engineer the move with an off-the-record briefing to journalists, that angered Sunderland and unsettled Jones.

Bruce was livid with Benitez and while he insists the rancour is in the past, there will be no love lost between the pair when they line up in opposite dugouts on Sunday.

With a full week’s training behind him, Jones is likely to get a chance to show Liverpool what they’re missing – with Bruce considering bringing him back a player he considers to be in his best form of the season.

Those recent performances, the Sunderland boss insists, have hardened his resolve to keep hold of Jones during the summer.

“It was a ridiculous situation in January. 'Kenwyne Jones going on loan – I am sorry, but it was just a non-starter,” he said. “I never

intended to sell Kenwyne , unless someone like Liverpool comes in with £15million or whatever then we all know the situation.

“But that goes for everyone, everyone has got their price but I never genuinely wanted to sell Kenwyne Jones (left).

“I want to build a squad here and you don’t do that by letting your best players go. Since the transfer window closed we have definitely seen the best of him.

“Before he got injured he had his best spell certainly under me because it was Kenwyne playing the way he can. That is what I have been doing – trying to get him playing like he did when he first came here.”

Bruce, who clashed with Benitez on the touchline during Sunderland’s October victory over Liverpool, was careful not to fuel the fires ahead of the weekend and was tactful when asked about the Spaniard.

But it is safe to assume the pair will not be meeting for a glass of wine in the manager’s office after the final whistle.

“The speculation was continuous and, obviously, Rafa Benitez must have been getting the information from somewhere,” Bruce said.

“I would have thought, out of decency, maybe he would have done the honourable thing and rung me if there was an interest.

“But the speculation kept going and going and, for me, affected Kenwyne and affected the team.

“I haven’t spoken to Rafa since January and I didn’t speak to him during January although I thought I might have done.” Bruce must decide between Jones and in-form Friazer Campbell for a striking berth alongside Darren Bent.

And the Sunderland boss insists it is not a clear-cut decision.

“Fraizer has three in five games and I’m delighted about that,” he said.

“I saw Fraizer at Tottenham play wide right and he was absolutely terrific on the night. He has been champing at the bit – but he’s waited patiently and I always had him there if Benty was injured. Thankfully over the last few weeks his goal return has been excellent.

“The other thing with Fraizer, it gives us the option of changing things around.

“We are a bit more fluid, we can change things around quickly.”

Whoever he chooses, Bruce hopes that Sunderland raise their game against a side who have struggled on their travels, but have won seven straight games at Anfield.

“You look at Liverpool and the one thing that you know is you have to be at your best. You hope you grasp it and have pleasure to play there,” he said.

“It is steeped in history and tradition. I just hope we go there and give them a great game – because it’s one of the great places to play.”