Football News
Bruce truce gives Ferdinand boost
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce says that he has settled his differences with defender Anton Ferdinand after the two became embroiled in a training ground bust-up last month.
Ferdinand, 25, joined the Black Cats for £6m in 2008 but has fallen behind Michael Turner, John Mensah and Titus Bramble in the pecking order to play at centre-back, while loan signing Nedum Onuoha is expected to be Sunderland’s first choice at right-back.
However, after the collapse of a deal to take Ferdinand to Serie A side Palermo on loan, Bruce sat down with the player and has decided that he still has a future at the Stadium of Light, a decision that was helped no doubt by Ferdinand’s strong showing in the Mackems’ 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Bruce told the Northern Echo: "He's back in the frame. Sometimes you have a row at work, it happens. But the one thing I'll never do is bear a grudge.
"We pay his wages, he came back into the team and played very well so he'll be in contention for Wigan [on Saturday].
"He's still got a future here because he's our player. He's not gone anywhere and, if and when he's required, he'll play."