We will play a strong side and I have a good squad available to me, Bruce added. Of course we know what Leicester can do. They are familiar to us with Waggy having been there although obviously Paulo Sousa has come in since. A trip down...

Bruce said: The early games have all been about fitness, but these last two are a little bit more about getting the team right for the opening day of the season. We'll be looking at putting out as strong a side as we can.

Bruce said: The early pre-season games have all been about fitness and sharpness and we've used as many of our fringe players as possible to make sure everyone gets a game. But these last two are a little bit more about getting the team right for...

James could be somebody that we're interested in, said Bruce. We had had a conversation with David's representatives and I'll make my mind up in the next week or so. David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to...

Bruce added: It's something I didn't want to happen because I was very happy with Craig Gordon and how he did last year. David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to do. I don't think he is trying to play one off against...

He told the Portuguese press: I am surprised this kid is not in the Brazil national squad. He is a good footballer with pride, fight and quality. This type of footballer is wanted in England because his style is very English. It doesn't surprise me...

James could be somebody that we're interested in because of the problem with Gordon, Bruce said. We had had a conversation with David's representatives and I'll make my mind up in the next week or so. It's something I didn't want to happen...

James could be somebody that we're interested in because of the problem with Gordon, Bruce said. We had a conversation with David's representatives and I'll make my mind up in the next week or so. It's something I didn't want to happen...

It doesn't surprise me that Chelsea and Manchester City are interested because David Luiz is a footballer capable of playing for the best teams in the world, he added. He is a leader and I believe he would do very well in the Premier...

He told the club's official website: Benty had a bit of a sore hamstring and we're not going to take a risk with that. Kenwyne has tweaked his knee a little bit so we'll see how he is but we don't think it's too serious.

He just needs to keep on improving and go again, Bruce told The Journal. He has come back in pre-season and he looks as though he has grown another inch or two. When he came on in our first friendly here against Brighton, he changed the...

Bruce said: He's a terrific player, and someone that anybody would be interested in. But like Craig Bellamy at City, he'd be a very expensive proposition both in terms of wages and a transfer fee, and we have to prioritise. I think I'm pretty well...

And Bruce said: It was good for us to be able to face opposition like that in pre-season. They're quite a side - as you'd expect them to be from a club which ranks among the European giants. They've got so much quality and they gave us a really...

Bruce said: David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to do. I don't think he is trying to play one off against the other, he's just keeping his options open at the moment. Marton Fulop is on the edge of joining Ipswich....

Bruce said of the Portugal camp: We've got through so much good work in terms of fitness training. We went to the same training complex last year and it was great for us and that's why we were happy to come again. This summer, it has been even more...

He just needs to keep on improving and go again, said Bruce. He has come back in pre-season and he looks as though he has grown another inch or two. When he came on in our first friendly here against Brighton, he changed the intensity of...

Bruce told the Sunderland Echo: Terrific player and someone that anybody would be interested in. But, like Craig Bellamy at City, he'd be a very expensive proposition, both in terms of wages and a transfer fee, and we have to prioritise.

Benty had a bit of a sore hamstring and we're not going to take a risk with that, Bruce said. Kenwyne has tweaked his knee a little bit so we'll see how he is but we don't think it's too serious.

There are suspects in this, but it is an ongoing investigation, Bruce said.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said: Marton is on the edge of joining Ipswich. He is talking terms.

His end-of-season form and his fitness were terrific, said Bruce. After the problems that he had last season with Notts County he got himself into a wonderful condition and towards the end of the season he was, for me, Arsenal's best...

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce told The Journal: We're close with John Mensah. He wants to come and Lyon want him to go, so that will hopefully get sorted in the next few days.

Bruce told The Journal: Marton Fulop is on the edge of joining Ipswich.

Bruce said: When you look at it, we've got a few candidates. Craig Gordon was captain at Hearts for a while, I know. And some people would point to Darren Bent because of the stack of goals he's scored and the high profile he has. But, for me, it...

Bruce added: I've said before, and I'll say again, that I'm reasonably comfortable with our strength in midfield, despite losing Lorik Cana this summer. I've got Lee Cattermole and Cristian Riveros who could be a great pairing next season with...

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: Marton Fulop is on the edge of joining Ipswich. They are talking personal terms as I understand it, so something should be finalised shortly as long as those talks go well.

Bruce added: David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to do. I don't think he's trying to play one off against each other, he's just keeping his options open at the moment.

Bruce says the former Spurs man is talking personal terms with the Blues: M?rton F?l?p is on the edge of joining Ipswich. They are talking personal terms as I understand it, so something should be finalised shortly as long as those talks go...

Bruce said: When you look at it, we've got a few candidates. Craig Gordon was captain at Hearts for a while. And some people would point to Darren Bent because of the stack of goals he's scored, and the high profile he has. But for me, it comes...

He told The Journal: Marton Fulop is on the edge of joining Ipswich. They are talking personal terms as I understand it, so something should be finalised shortly as long as those talks go well.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told The Journal: We're close with John Mensah. He wants to come and Lyon want him to go, so that will hopefully get sorted in the next few days.

Bruce added: David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to do. I don't think he is trying to play one off against the other, he's just keeping his options open at the moment. We're still hopeful something will happen.

We hope it will get done and we hope we'll be able to announce something shortly, he said. I like him as a player. He has got a bit of versatility and he can play in a number of different positions.

But Bruce told safc.com: I think it's arguably the best I've seen Ferdinand play. He was terrific and right up for the challenge. He's probably seen another centre back walk through the door but I've said all along, to be competitive you need a big...

Big for Bruce, too, who said: I'm really looking forward to it. I think it's a great game for us and a great game for our fans. It's going to be a real test because Benfica are not only the champions of Portugal but one of the best teams in Europe....

We're close with John Mensah, Bruce confirmed to The Journal. He wants to come and Lyon want him to go, so that will hopefully get sorted in the next few days.

Bruce added: David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to do. I don't think he is trying to play one off against the other, he's just keeping his options open at the moment. We are still hopeful something will happen.

Bruce said: Like all pre-season games, it's all about preparation and fitness work. That's the over-riding importance of what we're doing now. But at the same time, you want to do well in every game you play. We're unbeaten in pre-season so far,...

Bruce added: It's something I didn't want to happen because I was very happy with Craig Gordon and how he did last year.

Bruce told the BBC Radio Newcastle: James could be somebody that we're interested in because of the problem. We have had a conversation with David's representatives. I'll make my mind up in the next week or so.

Bruce added: Titus is big and strong, very powerful with two decent feet. I know what he's all about and what makes him tick having worked with him before. The price we've paid is terrific value in today's market.

However, Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail: The kid was outstanding on loan last season and now I think that 70 per cent of the Championship would like to take him. I have said that his future is with us this year and nothing has changed. I wouldn't...

Referring to the Hull game, won 4-2 by his side, Bruce explained: I think it's arguably the best I've seen Ferdinand play. He was terrific and right up for the challenge. He's probably seen another centre back walk through the door but I've said...

Indeed, Bruce described his performance alongside Kenwyne Jones against Hull on Saturday as the best I've ever seen from Anton.

Black Cats Steve Bruce said: Simon shouldn't be too harsh on himself. It's pre-season and anyway, he's still a young keeper learning his trade. He's only going to get better.

We're talking to Kieran, he's got a year left and we hope we can tie him up, Bruce told The Journal. I think the chairman has made a few inroads into that. We hope he signs it. We want to build a squad here and Kieran is a very good...

Bruce said: Kenwyne's played there a few time and I thought he had a good game alongside Anton Ferdinand, who was superb. Angeleri had a tidy debut, but for him now it's all getting the fitness that the others have. Simon will be a little...

Marcos is a strong, powerful defender and will add depth to the squad, said Bruce.

He told the club's official website: Marcos is a strong, powerful defender and will add depth to the squad. He is also very keen to get forward from that position so that adds an extra dimension to the side. He has been one of the best right...

Titus has a stress fracture and has been out for 10 or 12 weeks now, said Bruce. We knew that when we signed him but he is ready to join in training and the Leicester game is the target for him. He may not make it for then but the priority...

He's still England's number one goalkeeper. He'd be a good short term signing for us, Bruce told the Daily Mirror. But what we have to decide now is to whether make a signing or whether the two young keepers that we have are ready for the...

Bruce told the Echo: We're in for David James, but it's an ongoing one as things stand at the moment. The player and his agent want a deal to be right for them; we want it to be right for them and right for us. But he's definitely a keeper that...

Bruce said: We're in for David James, but it's an ongoing one as things stand at the moment. The player and his agent want a deal to be right for them, we want it to be right for them and right for us. But he's definitely a keeper that we're...

I knew it might be a difficult one for Sunderland fans - and a difficult one for him. But the great thing is that the lad has plenty of bottle - he wanted to come here, said Bruce. He wants to play for me and for Sunderland and I feel sure...

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce said: In recent years he's been one of the best right full-backs in South America. Marcos is a strong, powerful defender and will add depth to the squad. He is also very keen to get forward.

Bruce said: Marcos is a strong, powerful defender and will add depth to the squad. He is also very keen to get forward from that position so that adds an extra dimension to the side. He has been one of the best right full-backs in South America in...

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager who coached Bramble for two seasons at Wigan, said Bramble has matured into a very, very good player.

Bruce, said: He's still England's number one goalkeeper. He'd be a good short term signing for us. But what we have to decide now is to whether make a signing or whether the two young keepers that we have are ready for the Premier League . The...

Bruce, who this week clinched a ?1m deal for Titus Bramble, admitted he is interested in James and said: He's still England's number one goalkeeper. He'd be a good short term signing for us. But what we have to decide now is to whether make a...

Bruce said: I had no hesitation in bringing Titus here - he will be a marvellous acquisition. He is big and strong, very powerful with two decent feet. I know what he's all about and what makes him tick having worked with him before, he added.