Bruce ready for showdown talks

STEVE BRUCE faces crunch talks with Sunderland owner Ellis Short in the next 48 hours.

The under-pressure Black Cats boss copped severe terrace flak after Saturday's home loss to Wigan.

But American owner Short will not be bullied into axing him just because of an outpouring of fan anger — even if a local newspaper poll saw a whopping 89 per cent wanting him out.

Instead, Short and Niall Quinn, who still has a say in boardroom matters, will talk with boss Bruce and figure out the best way of moving forward.

Short is far from happy, with Sunderland just two points off the drop zone having won just twice this term, and he will demand Bruce proves he can turn it around.

If the Black Cats boss fails to convince the Missouri-born billionaire, Short will not hesitate in showing him the door.

But a source close to Bruce said: "Steve is determined to fight on and maintains he has a squad which can satisfy the owner's demands.

"They will all collectively have a good, hard think before doing anything. Making rash decisions is not how the owner works.

"Winning the fans back will be very tough — but he's up for he challenge.

"It's up to Ellis Short to believe him and give him the chance to do it."

Former Sunderland ace Michael Gray wants Bruce to tough it out.

He said: "I hope Bruce doesn't walk away. We all know when things aren't going well your confidence takes a massive hit and it's hard to get yourself out of it.

"It's really cut-throat in the Premier League but I hope Steve is given time. The abuse at the weekend was a bit overboard."