Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce opts to stand by Bramble
STEVE Bruce joined Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn yesterday in throwing his full support behind defender Titus Bramble, who was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of rape. The Black Cats' manager announced that Bramble will feature in Sunderland's trip to Anfield to face Liverpool tomorrow, despite the 29-yearold's arrest following an incident in the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle in the early hours of Wednesday morning after Sunderland's Carling Cup exit at the hands of West Ham United. Quinn confirmed on Wednesday night that the defender, signed by Bruce in the summer from Wigan Athletic, had the club's total support a sentiment echoed by Bruce. The one thing he wants to do is play football, he is a resilient so-and-so and wants the matter cleared up and I just reiterate what Niall said which is that we will fully support him and we are right behind him, said Bruce. It is unfortunate what has happened, and there is bad publicity and bad press which no one wants but Titus is adamant he has done nothing wrong. He wants to play, he wanted to be in this morning, he wants to put the record straight, we want the case resolved and we are all 100 per cent convinced he has nothing to do with the allegation and we get on with it. He plays simple as that. As much as Bruce has shown his support for Bramble in public, behind closed doors he will be furious that one of his players has got into a position by where the club's name could be besmirched. He said: My disappointment is he should not be out on a Tuesday night in a nightclub and he knows that but that is his only offence. We hope the matter can be dealt with as quickly as possible and it sorts itself out quickly because it needs to be. I don't think footballers should be out on a Tuesday before a Saturday game. No one likes a night out more than me but I don't think they should be in that position, and we have spoken about that to Titus. He is in agreement that he has put himself in that situation on Tuesday, and it is not appropriate especially with Liverpool on Saturday.