Source: PA
Bruce not ruling out Rooney `game'
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will not be convinced Wayne Rooney is not turning out against his team on Saturday until he sees the Manchester United teamsheet.
The 24-year-old England international was left out of the squad for the 1-0 Champions League victory in Valencia with manager Sir Alex Ferguson having indicated he would be sidelined for three weeks with an ankle problem.
However, Rooney has been struggling for form this season after a disappointing World Cup and has found himself the subject of lurid tabloid headlines, and there is a school of thought which suggests the lay-off could be as much for psychological as physical reasons.
However, former United star Bruce knows Ferguson well from his days at Old Trafford and would not be surprised in the slightest if Rooney ran out at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
He said: "Is he out for three weeks, Wayne Rooney? I don't know if he is. I don't know if he is or whether Sir Alex is playing one of his games.
"But make no mistake, there is one person who will look after Wayne Rooney better than anyone else, and that is Sir Alex, and I am sure he will do."
