Bruce plays down Cats' Hart check

06 August 2010 12:23
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has played down his chances of landing Joe Hart on loan, but is hoping to complete a deal for Danny Welbeck.[LNB] Bruce confirmed earlier in the week that he had made an enquiry to Manchester City about bringing in England international goalkeeper Hart, with Craig Gordon facing several weeks out with a broken arm.[LNB]With out-of-favour Marton Fulop having departed for Ipswich, Bruce looks set to start the campaign with Belgium Under-21 international Simon Mignolet in goal and fellow youngster Trevor Carson as back-up.[LNB]Bruce, who is still waiting to hear back from City over Hart, claims reports of an imminent move are wide of the mark and insists he would be happy to start the season with Mignolet as his number one, but fears any further injuries to his last line of defence.[LNB]He told Sky Sports News: "There is nothing immediate and I think the media have blown it out of proportion. [LNB]"I've looked at the situation and I have asked the question if Manchester City were prepared to do anything. In the meantime, they are busy getting on with their own preparations.[LNB]"I've seen all these reports and if there was a possibility that might be the case (bringing in Hart), then I would look at it on a short-term basis.[LNB]"I've been delighted with Simon Mignolet but if something happened to him, then we would be in desperation land because of the injury to Craig Gordon, who proved at the end of last season he is up with the best 'keepers in the Premier League.[LNB]"We're left in a horrible situation with the injury he has picked up. I don't really want to do anything at all but we might have to. We'll look and see where we are next week and hopefully there will be no more injuries to our goalkeepers."[LNB]Meanwhile, Bruce looks set to raid his former club Manchester United for striker Welbeck, with the youngster down the pecking order at Old Trafford behind Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed earlier on Friday that Welbeck was set to depart on loan and Bruce believes the 19-year-old would be an excellent addition to his squad alongside Darren Bent, Kenwyne Jones and Fraizer Campbell.[LNB]He admitted: "We are talking to Manchester United and there is a possibility but it is still up in the air at the moment and there is still a bit to do.[LNB]"Last year we went all season with three strikers and for me that is a little bit thin.[LNB]"In that sort of department if you have got more options then Danny would be a really good option for us."

Source: Team_Talk