Bruce: I'm no quitter

Posted Sunday, February 07, 2010 by PA

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was in defiant mood after seeing his side extend their winless Barclays Premier League run to 11 games.

Kenwyne Jones' 64th-minute header was only enough to secure a 1-1 draw with Wigan at the Stadium of Light, a result which means the Black Cats have taken only five points from the last 33 on offer.

Bruce said: "The one thing I am not going to do is give up on it - I have never given up on anything in my life, so I am not going to start now."

He added: "We have got to make sure we are ready for the challenge ahead. We won't give up on it, that's for sure and we will turn it around."

Sunderland head for crisis club Portsmouth on Tuesday night with Bruce insisting he is not too concerned by the mounting pressure on his shoulders.

He said: "I am not enjoying it. I'm not unduly worried, but I am not enjoying it, that's for sure.

"After a really fantastic start, we have had a horrible run, it's as simple as that, but we have to try to arrest it, starting on Tuesday."

However, Bruce will leave Jordan Henderson behind on Wearside with the youngster potentially facing months on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage after being stretchered off.

The manager said: "That's the most disappointing thing of the afternoon. It doesn't look great for the kid.

"We will see how the scans and X-rays are, but it will certainly be weeks and possibly months."