Bruce: Henderson will be back better than ever

Apr 10 2011 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

JADED Jordan Henderson will come back from his breather better than ever, according to Steve Bruce.

Bruce left Henderson out of yesterday’s clash with West Brom, and admitted the 20-year-old – who had started every league game this season up to then – has been desperate for a break for weeks.

Henderson’s performances have dipped as Sunderland’s injury problems meant he had to soldier on, but he has now had a chance to recharge his batteries as he looks to recapture his magnificent early-season form for the run-in.

Henderson has been a revelation since becoming a first-team regular at the start of last season, and his form has made him an automatic choice for England Under-21s and earned him his first senior cap in November.

Bruce said: “For a 20-year-old, he has done fantastically well and he maybe needed to come out of the firing line for a rest weeks ago, but injuries meant that wasn’t possible.

“Of course, he’ll benefit from a break and I’m confident he will come back better than ever.

“He’s had a wonderful two years and he’s a terrific player. He’s got the world at his feet, I’m convinced about that.”

Meanwhile, Bruce has confirmed he will try to bring his loan rangers to Wearside on a permanent basis.

The Black Cats currently have five players on loan – Danny Welbeck from Manchester United, Nedum Onuoha (Man City), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), John Mensah (Lyon) and Ahmed Elmohamady (ENPPI).

Elmohamady’s loan deal will convert to a £2m switch at the end of the season, and Bruce will also test the water by speaking to the parent clubs of the other four players.

“Elmohamady is done and dusted, but there are still four other players on loan at the club,” he said.

“Our first aim will be to look at who we want to secure, and to try and arrange deals for them.

“Of course, our chances of signing Welbeck permanently are very small, but I will ask the question and if that is not possible I will ask about taking him on loan for another season.” Welbeck is the least likely to be allowed to move on, while Sunderland will be hoping Man City reduce the £8m price tag they put on Onuoha’s head last summer.

Mensah’s patchy fitness record is the main concern over making him a permanent signing, while the stumbling block with Muntari is likely to be the huge wages he is on at the San Siro.