Bruce moves to hold on to highly-rated Henderson

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has revealed the Premier League’s big guns have all made enquiries about Jordan Henderson but remains confident the highly-rated midfielder will still be at the Stadium of Light next season.

The 20-year-old has again been linked with a summer move to Manchester United but, although he accepts Henderson will eventually move on, Bruce does not expect that to be for another couple of seasons at least.

He said: “It’s fair to say that all of the big managers all around the country have asked to be kept informed if we ever decide to sell Jordan Henderson.

“But I think the kid and his dad see the next couple of seasons as the most vital for Jordan. We see it and he sees it, which is the most important thing for me, that Sunderland is the right club for him at this moment.

“There will come a time undoubtedly when he’ll want to go and play in the Champions League and want to win Champions League trophies and further his England career. But for the next couple of years at least, this is the place for him to learn his trade.

“Where is there another 20-year-old who has played for the last 18 months in the Premier League? There aren’t many.”

Sixth-placed Sunderland welcome reigning champions Chelsea to the Stadium of Light tonight looking for a repeat of their stunning 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in November.

New signing Stephane Sessegnon will make his debut but former Portsmouth player Sulley Muntari has headed back to Italy to sort out his visa so will have to wait until Saturday’s trip to Stoke.

Injuries continue to cause problems for Bruce, with Boudewijn Zenden picking up a knee problem in training and set to join Welbeck, Campbell, David Meyler and Michael Turner on the sidelines.

However, captain Lee Cattermole could return from a back problem and John Mensah (ankle) is vying for a starting place after making the bench for the 2-1 win at Blackpool nine days ago.

For his part, Carlo Ancelotti reports no new injury problems ahead of tonight’s visit to the Stadium of Light.

“There is no new team news, Lampard is okay, the players injured are Alex, Benayoun and Zhirkov, like before, and the other players are all in good condition after Everton,’’ he said.

“I don’t think there will be many changes, the players recovered well after the game and we don’t have any new problems.

“Sunderland are a dangerous team because above all at home they are playing well, they are dangerous but they will find a different Chelsea from our home game but we need to do our best because to play there is not easy.’’