Sunderland FC

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• Founded:1879
• Manager:Steve Bruce

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Bruce explains Jones exit

12 Aug 2010 - 10:27:04

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that he allowed Kenwyne Jones to join Stoke City in an £8million deal because he felt the striker was not playing up to his full potential.

The 25-year-old frontman scored 28 goals in 101 appearances for the Black Cats, but Bruce felt that Jones could have done better.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "There has always been a frustration with me, and I think with supporters, who have watched Kenwyne that you see an abundance of talent, but it has not come out often enough for us for whatever reason.

"In management you get paid to make some important decisions sometimes. Stoke have been badgering me for a year. Everyone knows they love a big, traditional centre-forward and he might go and suit them.

"Towards the end with Kenwyne, things were not working out, so I have accepted Stoke's offer and given him permission to speak to them."

Having allowed Jones to move on, the Black Cats are poised to sign Manchester United frontman Danny Welbeck on a season-long loan.