STEVE Bruce is hoping to see the best of Anton Ferdinand after applying the carrot and stick this summer.

Ferdinand has been made to sweat over his Wearside future to shake off the complacency Bruce thinks bedevils him.

The Black Cats manager believes in Wes Brown he has found the 26-year-old a perfect partner.

After a summer of very heavy investment in defensive talent, Ferdinand was a surprise choice to start the season at the heart of the defence.

With John O’Shea injured, and Michael Turner and Titus Bramble not up to speed, it could be argued Bruce had little choice.

However, he thinks Ferdinand has earned the chance.

Bruce said: “Anton had a good pre-season and is fit and ready for the challenge.

“He has only a year left on his contract and the gauntlet has been laid down to him.

“It is going to take time for Bramble and Turner to get up and running and Anton was the obvious choice as he played well in pre-season.