Bruce has made his mind up who its gonna be, will it be Turner and Bramble, both or neither?
One thing for sure, if they are not ready don't play them, we don't need anymore injuries re-occuring like last season.
STEVE Bruce admits the condition of Titus Bramble and Michael Turner has produced his main selection headache ahead of tomorrowâs Premier League opener.
The central defensive pair came through Sunderlandâs pre-season campaign unscathed, with each boasting five appearances to their name after missing much of the second half of last year through knee injuries.
But both looked understandably rusty during Sunderlandâs friendly schedule, with Bruce hinting at his team selection for tomorrowâs trip to Liverpool by naming Anton Ferdinand alongside Wes Brown in the final pre-season encounter at Hibernian last weekend.
With John OâShea ruled out of the Anfield clash through injury, Bruce has been keen to have last seasonâs first-choice central defensive duo at his disposal.
But the Sunderland boss insists Turner and Brambleâs precarious fitness must come into his thinking as he ponders his defensive options.
Bruce said: âThe big thing for Titus and Michael was to get through pre-season and they are the biggest concern Iâve got at the moment. Theyâre both huge, big lads and they need to train, play and work, work, work to get back to their best.
âBoth of them have been out for the best part of six months, which is serious stuff.
âItâs going to take them more than six weeks of pre-season to fully recover. But theyâre getting there. We know what theyâre good at and capable of, so weâll see.
âThe big thing Iâve got to do is consider who is medically right and who is ready to go.
âIâve already made that decision in my mind, but Iâll confirm it today
One thing for sure, if they are not ready don't play them, we don't need anymore injuries re-occuring like last season.
STEVE Bruce admits the condition of Titus Bramble and Michael Turner has produced his main selection headache ahead of tomorrowâs Premier League opener.
The central defensive pair came through Sunderlandâs pre-season campaign unscathed, with each boasting five appearances to their name after missing much of the second half of last year through knee injuries.
But both looked understandably rusty during Sunderlandâs friendly schedule, with Bruce hinting at his team selection for tomorrowâs trip to Liverpool by naming Anton Ferdinand alongside Wes Brown in the final pre-season encounter at Hibernian last weekend.
With John OâShea ruled out of the Anfield clash through injury, Bruce has been keen to have last seasonâs first-choice central defensive duo at his disposal.
But the Sunderland boss insists Turner and Brambleâs precarious fitness must come into his thinking as he ponders his defensive options.
Bruce said: âThe big thing for Titus and Michael was to get through pre-season and they are the biggest concern Iâve got at the moment. Theyâre both huge, big lads and they need to train, play and work, work, work to get back to their best.
âBoth of them have been out for the best part of six months, which is serious stuff.
âItâs going to take them more than six weeks of pre-season to fully recover. But theyâre getting there. We know what theyâre good at and capable of, so weâll see.
âThe big thing Iâve got to do is consider who is medically right and who is ready to go.
âIâve already made that decision in my mind, but Iâll confirm it today
