Source: Northern_Echo
Cats’ injuries could hamper next season
STEVE BRUCE fears Sunderland's severe injury woes will carry over into next season after admitting five of his sidelined first team squad will struggle to be fit when the action starts again in August.[LNB] Bruce has been satisfied with the way his players have responded to their relegation worries over the past few weeks after claiming victories over Wigan and Bolton which lifted them clear of trouble.[LNB] It had been a horrendous few months for the Sunderland boss, who had been struggling to come up with a way to end an alarming run of form after a series of injuries ripped the heart out of his squad.[LNB] Now, with Sunderland edging closer to a top ten finish ahead of the final fixtures against Wolves and West Ham, Bruce is thinking about ways of improving his squad in the summer.[LNB] But he admits Michael Turner's latest set-back and the back problem troubling captain Lee Cattermole means Sunderland could have to cope without a number of key players in the build-up to next season.[LNB] "With the problems we've had, finishing top ten is not going to mask it," said Bruce, whose side are just a point adrift of tenth spot. "Even now we've got a lot of people out for a long time.[LNB] "That's the big challenge for us now - getting them back, even for next season. You're talking about Craig Gordon, David Meyler, Fraizer Campbell, Turner, Cattermole - they're serious injuries that they've got. That's the big challenge we face, to get them fit for next season."[LNB] Despite the constant run of bad injuries, Sunderland are on track to claim a top ten finish after two wins in their last three matches - something achieved just twice since 1956.[LNB] But Bruce suggests he is a manager reflecting on what might have been, aware that his side spent much of the season in touch with the top four.[LNB] "This season has been as difficult as anything I have faced," he said. "At the end of January we had the Darren Bent situation, which is untimely. We all didn't want it to happen but it did. Then unfortunately the injuries kicked in - Danny Welbeck and Fraizer Campbell. They were meant to be back, it didn't happen.[LNB] "Then Asamoah Gyan gets injured. It's been frustrating and difficult. Then the scaremongers come along and it grows and it grows. The vultures circle round here like in no other area.[LNB] "You have to have the strength to see it through and thankfully we had a little bit of luck on Saturday at Bolton. Even then we had 12 senior pros out - it was a fantastic achievement, arguably one of my biggest results for a long, long time. Maybe ever."[LNB] Bruce, set to bring in former Sunderland and Newcastle striker Bryan 'Pop' Robson as his chief scout, is working on plans to make significant changes to his playing staff in the hope of avoiding a repeat next season.[LNB] The Sunderland boss said: "I was getting the sack last week! This run has taught me how difficult it is in the North-East - don't get me wrong, I wouldn't swap it for anything. It's the challenge I always wanted. It's been such a frustrating time for us, that's the disappointment.[LNB] "We'll now sit down with the powers that be, I'm sure, and plan ahead. We've got some difficult decisions to make because of the injury situation we've got. It's difficult for any club to have, but when you have four or five serious ones like we've had then the question is: Are they ready for next season Can they handle it We certainly hope so."[LNB] Bruce, speaking at Close House Hotel & Golf Club yesterday at the opening of the new championship Colt course and glass clubhouse, also paid tribute to his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB] Manchester United are on the brink of securing an unprecedented 19th league title and Bruce said: "I have to say they were fantastic against Chelsea. In a one-off game to win the league they were absolutely awesome.[LNB] "It is the manager. If he had been manager of any of the top four they would have won it and all. He's a genius. He's unbelievable. I think he's the greatest ever - I don't think anyone will get close to his achievement."[LNB] * Sunderland have kept the final home match of the season on Saturday with Wolves a Category B game, with tickets starting from £10 for children and £23 for adults.[LNB] The game kicks off at 12.45pm and can be ordered at the Stadium of Light ticket office, by calling the SAFC ticket hotline on 0871-911-1973 or by visiting safc.com[LNB]
