Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland hardman Lorik Cana won't change his combative ways despite flurry of bookings
[LNB] He has just served his second suspension of the season, he has eight bookings to his name already and one red card but Lorik Cana refuses to change his ways. [LNB]The Sunderland captain has the backing of manager Steve Bruce, the man who signed the Albania captain for £5million from Marseille, and who will not impose any additional discipline on him for picking up a yellow card in every third game. [LNB]Cana returns to face Everton today and his latest brush with referees must be fresh in the memory - he was booked in the 12th minute against Aston Villa and picked up the second for another rash tackle in injury-time. [LNB] Red reputation: Lorik Cana has got himself into the referee's book on more than one occasion this season[LNB]But while Bruce and Sunderland supporters will be pleased to see Cana reunited with Lee Cattermole at last today after an absence of almost three months in harness, the enigmatic summer signing promises they will see the same player beating at the heart of Bruce's team. [LNB]Cana said: 'It is part of football. I always try to be fair when I play. To be strong, of course, but to be fair. Some times you are late or you use too much power but most importantly people can see that I am not a bad guy or someone that would try to injure an opponent. [LNB]'I always try to play the ball and to be strong but some times too much. Of course if you have too many yellow cards it is a problem but I don't think it is a major problem for me. [LNB]'Every year I play 34, 35 games in the league. That is the most important thing. I am never injured and that will be the same again this season. [LNB]'It is just a part of me. I have to change some small things but it is ok - it is not really a problem.' [LNB] Combative: Cana flies in feet first[LNB]Cana does accept his relationship with referees must improve but he is in the ideal position to deal with that problem after he was handed the captain's armband by Bruce following Danny Collins's surprise exit. [LNB]He held the position with Marseille and has recognised a more continental approach from English officials. [LNB]He said: 'I don't think all of my yellow cards were yellow cards this year but I have to do my part of the job and try to have better relations with the referee some times but that is not so bad. [LNB]'Some times the referee books you and it is your first foul. I don't think that is something normal. You cannot have one type of referee here and a different type in the rest of Europe. [LNB]'They have to be one. They have to be uniform. It is a difficult job. They just try to carry out whatever instructions they are given so it is up to players to be as fair as possible and to try to play the ball. [LNB] Putting your foot in: Cana likes to mix it up[LNB]'If the referees understand that you are not a dangerous guy for the opponent and that you don't want to injure anyone that is the most important thing.' [LNB]Bruce was at Eastlands last week to see the demise of Mark Hughes at first hand. Still reeling from the brutal axing of his former Manchester United team-mate, the Sunderland boss has even more reason to be grateful for his relationship with chairman Niall Quinn.[LNB]Epitome is a word Bruce uses a lot. And today's opposite number David Moyes is the managerial role model for Bruce and others like him. [LNB]But he wonders if we will see the like of him again and whether events at Manchester City this week, and the appointment of another foreign managers, will put off today's players. [LNB]Respect: Steve Bruce is a big fan of Everton boss David Moyes[LNB]Bruce said: 'Would the likes of Moyesy getting the Everton job happen again, a big club appointing someone out of the Championship? [LNB]'Who could do a better job than him? He's done a fantastic job on a restricted budget. [LNB]'Fantastic over the years, fantastic and that's what we've got to try and encourage. All the top jobs seem to be going to foreign coaches. [LNB]'If we're not careful all these boys who play in the Premier League with pots of money they're not going to do it for money but for job satisfaction. We're going to ruin that. [LNB]'For a start it takes the best part of seven years to do your badges and get fully qualified and a lot of players will think well what the hell for? It's even crept into the Championship, where the lifespan is 18 months. [LNB]'That's part and parcel of it you know. You've got to do it straight away otherwise you're under pressure in a matter of weeks. [LNB]'I wouldn't like the scenario where someone else is bringing in the players, it'd be difficult if someone was up above me saying here you are try your best with this player or that player.'[LNB] SUNDERLAND v Everton: Michael Turner out, Lorik Cana in for Black Cats Bruce to stick with starlet Henderson despite return of Cana and Cattermole SUNDERLAND FC
