Steve Bruce insists defender Marcos Angeleri still has a future at Sunderland despite a difficult start.
Black Cats defender yet to make debut for the club
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce insists defender Marcos Angeleri still has a future at the club despite a difficult start.
The 27-year-old right-back made the switch to the Stadium of Light for £1.5million during the summer but has yet to make an appearance for the Black Cats.
Angeleri has been struggling with injury and reports have suggested he could make a Wearside exit sooner rather than later.
However, Bruce believes the Argentina international will begin to flourish once he regains full fitness and settles in England.
"He had a serious knee injury which he was just getting over as we signed him last year. He then rocked his knee a bit against Benfica in pre-season, which didn't help," he told
The Journal.
"He's probably only just starting now. It would be very premature to write him off. South American players need time to settle in, as I have always said.
"Look at Maynor Figueroa at Wigan. I signed him and he didn't play for a year. It is so different for South Americans when they come here.
"They understand that as well, I think Marcos does. Of course he's disappointed. He'd like to play, like they all do, but there's been no need to rush and change anything up.
"Look at someone like Phil Bardsley. He has reacted well to his signing and we've offered him a contract this week."
Angeleri spent eight years at Estudiantes as a pro before his move to Sunderland and is rumoured to be considering a return home.
