Source: PA
Bruce investigates injury issues
Exasperated Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is to launch an inquiry into why so many of his players break down in games.
The Black Cats have been severely hampered in recent weeks by having to make early substitutions which have disrupted the plans on which they have worked on the training pitch.
Lee Cattermole and Kieran Richardson had both limped off by the time 23 minutes of the 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool on March 20 had elapsed, while both John Mensah and Richardson again failed to last beyond the half-time whistle on Saturday as West Brom won 3-2 at the Stadium of Light.
Bruce has repeatedly insisted he does not want to make injuries an excuse for the club's disastrous run of form, which has seen them collect just a single point from their last eight Barclays Premier League games. However, he is concerned at the regularity with which he is having to make early substitutions.
Bruce said: "It isn't happening on the training ground, it happens out there all the time in the match.
"It's something we will have to analyse. It is not a coincidence. We have had five operations and all five of them have broken down, so it is hampering us. I am not trying to blame anybody - I will take the blame - but we will have to look into it as to the reason why it keeps recurring like it is at the moment."
