Bruce determined to get Black Cats purring again

NEW Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will not allow his Geordie roots to derail his efforts to bring success to Wearside.

The 48-year-old signed a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light yesterday and took up the challenge of establishing the club in the top half of the Premier League.

Corbridge-born Bruce has never made any secret of his Tyneside background, or the fact he is a Newcastle fan, but he is determined to follow in the footsteps of Bob Stokoe, a fellow Geordie who led the club to FA Cup final glory in 1973.