Source: Northern_Echo
Jones confident progress will continue
KENWYNE JONES wants quality and quantity to be added to the Sunderland squad this summer after being left encouraged by the progress made during Steve Bruce's first season in charge at the Stadium of Light.[LNB] Jones was part of the team that lost to Chelsea on the final day of the last campaign, when other results went for Sunderland and Premier League football was guaranteed for a further year.[LNB] Eleven months on and Jones was in the Black Cats side that preserved top-flight status again. This time with three matches remaining, courtesy of Saturday's 2-1 win over Burnley.[LNB] Jones accepts the 14-match winless run in the middle of the season has prevented Sunderland finishing in a higher position, although he remains satisfied the club is heading in the right direction.[LNB] Last season it went down to the last day and, even though we have had a blip, you can see the progress that has been made, said Jones.[LNB] Last year, and the year before, it went down to the final weekend or so, so it feels nice to know we are definitely safe with three to play.[LNB] It's nice to get to that tally, now we just want to get as many points as we can. You can see by the quality we have in our team that we are not that far away from the top ten.[LNB] We really need a bigger squad because this year we had injuries and suspensions back-to-back. There's always a team that has that during the season and it was us.[LNB] Hopefully we will have a squad with more depth in it next year and we can push for the top ten.[LNB] This does feel like a club on the up. The club has always been a sleeping giant. With more investment and better players coming in we will definitely be going upwards.[LNB] Jones, likely to be the subject of further interest from other clubs during the closeseason, has been disappointed to have scored only eight goals this season, with strike partner Darren Bent powering away on 24.[LNB] He has not given up on reaching double figures, particularly now Sunderland have found form and are creating plenty of chances. He would have hit his ninth over the weekend, but was denied by goalkeeper Brian Jensen after some neat play by Steed Malbranque.[LNB] Jones' form has prevented Benjani, on loan from Manchester City, making more appearances, and Bruce will more than likely have to look at alternatives to the Zimbabwean during the summer, with German Kevin Kuranyi still in his sights.[LNB] But Jones, who accepts another forward would be healthy for competition, would like to see a deal struck with Tottenham for rightback Alan Hutton, who continues to impress after a stirring display against Burnley.[LNB] It's up to the people at the top of the club, said Jones.[LNB] For him to stay his performances had to tell and that's a decision for the board.[LNB] Alan is a nice guy. That's why we get on so well. Everyone who comes in and gets into the spirit, basically fits in.[LNB] Bruce, meanwhile, hinted that Lorik Cana could be available for this Saturday's trip to Hull City after injury.[LNB] He also suggested that John Mensah will be fit, despite having to replace him at halftime against Burnley.[LNB] Andy Reid, who will not play again this season due to hamstring trouble, has been delayed on a recuperation break in Dubai because of the ongoing air travel problems.[LNB]
