Bruce shrugs off attack

Battle-scarred football manager Steve Bruce today shrugged off a frightening attack outside his home by leading out his Birmingham City side as normal in the Premiership.

Bruce, aged 43, suffered cuts and bruises in the assault, which happened after he disturbed two men apparently trying to break in to his daughter’s car.

The former Manchester United and Norwich City defender had been alerted after the car’s alarm sounded in the street near his house in north Warwickshire at about 2am.

Blues officials said he was left shaken by the incident but insisted his preparations for the club’s match against Bolton Wanderers would be unaffected.

Bruce travelled to the Reebok Stadium as normal today and took up his position on the bench for the start of the match.

Scars to his eye and cheek were clearly visible.

Earlier, Birmingham City chairman David Gold said: “We are horrified by this act of senseless violence and the club will support Steve in whatever way we can to ensure the culprits are brought to justice.

“I have spoken to Steve about this and he has asked us all to make as little fuss as possible as he continues the job in hand of preparing for the Bolton game.”

The attack is thought to have been the work of “opportunist thieves” and was not thought to be football-related.

Both men are said to have run off after the assault. Weapons are not thought to have been involved and it is not clear whether police were informed.

A spokeswoman for Warwickshire Police said they had no record of being alerted to an incident at Bruce’s house, which is near Knowle, close to Solihull, West Midlands.