Steve Bruce rules out Asamoah Gyan sale & considers Sunderland overhaul to improve squad

EPL : Steve Bruce , Sunderland and West Ham (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will look to make several signings in the summer to push for a European finish next season.

A bad run of form saw the Black Cats slide down the table after Christmas and finish just eight points above the relegation places in 2011, and the former Wigan manager is hoping to bring in fresh faces before the start of the new campaign.

“When I first came in, I signed Darren Bent, Fraizer Campbell, Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole and Titus Bramble, Michael Turner, and John Mensah on loan,” he told the The Journal. “We need another influx like we had then.

“I don’t think people realise we had five loan players in the season just gone. That is because the owner in previous years has spent a lot of money.

“There is nothing wrong with a loan player and Nedum Onuoha, Danny Welbeck and Elmo Ahmed Elmohamady all played huge parts in the season.

“We could look at that again. There’s nothing wrong with that – but we had five out of 24. It shows you how light we were.”

The 50-year-old also ruled out a departure for striker Asamoah Gyan and wants to add to his striking options.

“I have had no inquiries for Gyan,” Bruce said. “I’ve seen bits of speculation but that does not worry me at all.

“He will be better in the second year because he will be used to it more. What we need is competition for him. That is where we will try to start.”