Sunderland boss Steve Bruce reveals injured players unlikely to return in time for final game of season

EPL: Steve Bruce, Tottenham – Sunderland (Getty Images)

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Steve Bruce has confirmed that all of Sunderland’s players currently on the sidelines are set to miss the final match of the season away to West Ham.

The Black Cats boss is currently having to make do without Craig Gordon, Michael Turner, Titus Bramble, Lee Cattermole, Kieran Richardson, Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan through injury.

“I can’t see anyone making it back in time,” Bruce told the club’s official website.

Injuries meant Bruce had to name a bench packed with youngsters for his side’s 3-1 loss at home to Wolves at the weekend.

The former Manchester United player, however, praised the young talents he has coming through at the club.

He added: “I have to say, the academy does fantastically well here.

“To have two young local lads Jack Colback and Jordan Henderson playing in the team, that doesn’t happen often in the Premier League these days, so they can take a big pat on the back.

“Ged McNamee, academy manager and his staff work extremely hard and underneath them we have got some very good young players too.

“Ryan Noble, Billy Knott, young Craig Lynch, Louis Laing, they have all got the potential to have good careers, so fair play to them, and I hope they continue.”

Bruce admits the academy is expensive but believes that the club’s supporters appreciate seeing local talent come through.

“It costs us a lot of money to run it, but yes, of course, there’s nothing better for the manager than to bring in a couple of the young kids,” he continued.

“The supporters identify with them, and hopefully it will stand the club in good stead.”