Meyler to get ‘kid glove’ treatment

SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce has vowed to be patient with David Meyler after the Irish midfielder played his first game in eight months on Wednesday night.

Meyler played 45 minutes for Sunderland reserves against Gateshead’s second string before a pre-planned half-time substitution as he continues his recovery from what Bruce yesterday described as “arguably the worst knee injury of its type that any player has ever had’’.

It was a significant step for Meyler, who ruptured every ligament in his right knee in a freak incident in the final league game of the 2009/10 season.