Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Bruce tips Turner for England

12 Oct 2009 - 14:09:21

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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has backed Michael Turner to play his way into England's World Cup squad.

Turner, 25, has taken the plaudits since his £6million move from Hull City to Wearside on transfer deadline day.

The defender and Black Cats team-mate Darren Bent were both omitted from the latest England squad, but Bruce believes the pair are good enough to be regulars in Fabio Capello's international squad.

"Everybody's been caught up with Benty and his goals and rightly so. Darren has already played for England and I am sure he will again," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"But if Mr Capello is looking for players, then he must have been impressed with Michael Turner last weekend.

"I thought he was immense for us and he could not have chosen a better time for that kind of performance than in front of the England manager.

"It wasn't a one-off either. Michael has been fantastic since he came here and he has been a big influence in both boxes."