Source: Northern_Echo
New boy tipped for international call
SUNDERLAND new boy Michael Turner has been backed to play for England, by scaring the life out of Premier League attacks this season.
Turner has previously indicated a belief that his £6.5m move to Wearside can propel him into Fabio Capellos thinking and team-mate Fraizer Campbell agrees.
Campbell has been reunited with the centre-back he spent one season with during a loan spell at Hull City in 2007-08 when he learned quickly about the defenders uncompromising style.
Turner became hot property this summer, with interest lodged from Liverpool, Tottenham and Fulham before Sunderland agreed to match Hulls demands.
The 25-year-old spent three years at the KC Stadium following a £350,000 move from Brentford, and was perceived as one of the major reasons why the Tigers stayed up last season.
Now Campbell, on loan at Hull from Manchester United when Phil Browns side earned promotion to the Premier League in 2008, is confident manager Steve Bruce has done the right deal.
Mike is a good addition to the squad and is a really typical defender who is good in the air, said Campbell.
He likes to put his foot in and he blocks shots. He puts his body on the line and he does the proper stuff that a defender should do well. He can put a bit of fear into the opposition.
Campbell turns 22 on Sunday, hours after he hopes to have helped ensure that Turners Sunderland debut ends in victory over their former club Hull at the Stadium of Light.
The striker is yet to start under Steve Bruce this season following his £3.5m move from Manchester United in July, but he is not reading anything into it.
Its great here. Im trying to prove myself but it is a confidence boost to know that the manager has brought you to the club and spent some money on you. Its nice to know youre in his plans, said Campbell, behind Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones in the pecking order.
This club has massive potential.
There are loads of fans and they are fanatical.
You cant walk down the street without seeing someone wearing a Sunderland shirt.
Its got a great training facility, a great new owner who is backing the manager all the way and some excellent players.
Hopefully we can fulfill that potential now.
Its a club thats going to get better and better. You look at where we finished last year we have to build on that.
Everything is in place off the field, so I think when people talk about potential and improving they mean on it.
Campbell was one of seven new arrivals during the summer transfer window, while Bruce reduced the size of his playing staff to 23, which still includes four players not expected to figure.
The hamstring injury which threatens to keep George McCartney out for six weeks has highlighted a lack of cover at left-back, but Bruce has defended his decision to ring the changes, including selling Danny Collins to Stoke.
Its nice to recoup some money for Ellis Short, said Bruce. People question why I let Danny and Grant Leadbitter go weve spent something like £30m on players so it gives the books a bit of perspective.
If Im being honest I had wondered if Id made too many changes to the squad too quickly, but I saw a chance to trim the squad.
Since last Christmas this club has lost something like 21 players and weve added seven; that shows were getting the squad into a healthier position.
That wouldnt be possible without the owner we have here, who recognises the need to invest in order to improve the club.
Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon missed training with the Scotland squad yesterday.
He is suffering from a thigh strain, but is expected to start tomorrows vital World Cup qualifier with Holland.
