Sunderland boss Steve Bruce looks to Jordan Henderson to provide more of a goal threat

Jordan Henderson, Sunderland

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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes midfielder Jordan Henderson can provide the Black Cats with vital goals in their bid to revitalise their form for the remaining games of the season, after the side lost all their recognised strikers to injury.

Henderson, who scored a brace in Sunderland’s 4-2 victory over Wigan last month, has been challenged by Bruce to push forward and reignite the Black Cats’ striking force.

The victory over Wigan, which saw both Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck pull up injured, there was a lack of senior strikers for Sunderland during the 3-0 defeat to Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

With nine defeats in 11 games, Bruce has now turned to the 20-year-old Englishmen to rejuvenate the Black Cats’ faltering campaign.

“The one thing about him when he plays on the right, he does arrive in the box and it seems to give him a bit more licence to get forward,” Bruce said.

“That suited him, and for him to score a couple of goals was terrific.

“That’s what he needs to improve – the kid knows that. The good thing about him is, as you have seen, when he does get there, he finishes. When he gets a chance, he can finish.

“We have to keep working on it, to arrive in the box and want to get in there. He can be a threat.”