Bruce still striving for top-ten finish

23 April 2010 11:01
STEVE BRUCE is refusing to admit defeat in Sunderland's bid to secure a top-ten finish and regards tomorrow's trip to Hull City as an ideal place to continue their charge up the Premier League table.[LNB] The Wearsiders have lost only three of their last dozen games but each of those defeats came on their travels as performances away from the Stadium of Light continue to be their Achilles heel.[LNB] Bruce acknowledges that improving their away form is a priority if the club have any chance of challenging for Europa League qualification next season. The encounter with Iain Dowie's strugglers is an opportunity for the Black Cats to register their first win away from Wearside since the opening day victory at Bolton Wanderers.[LNB] Bruce said: I never gave up hope that we could finish in tenth place as I knew we could string some results together.[LNB] It is a long shot but it's still all to play for and if we win this weekend then who knows[LNB] This game is one we can win.[LNB] We must be in the frame of mind that we can get something from Hull. As I keep saying we have got to be better away from home.[LNB] Maybe we've been too open, too positive on our travels, maybe we've got to think about being a little more cagey, a little more defensive.[LNB] A lot of these things will be on my mind in the run-up to the game because we could really do with a change in fortune on the road.[LNB] John Mensah and former Hull centre-half Michael Turner have recovered from niggling injuries and are expected to continue their partnership in the heart of defence, but midfielders Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole are rated as doubtful for the trip to Humberside.[LNB] The Tigers sit three points adrift of safety and must take something from tomorrow's game to keep alive their hopes of playing a third season in the top flight.[LNB] Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback received a double honour after he was named Ipswich Town's players' player of the year and collected the goal of the season gong for his strike against Blackpool in the FA Cup.[LNB] The North Shields-born player will return to the Stadium of Light this summer despite Tractor Boys' boss Roy Keane expressing his desire to retain the 20-year-old for another year.[LNB] Colback and Martyn Waghorn, who has enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Leicester City, are regarded by Bruce as having the potential to follow the likes of David Meyler and Jordan Henderson and stake a claim in Sunderland's first team squad next season.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo