Bruce hails rejuvenated Reid

Boss says player deserves the credit for fitness turnaround

Last updated: 1st October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce hails rejuvenated Reid

Reid (right): Fine form

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Steve Bruce has hailed Andy Reid as Sunderland's player of the month and is baffled by his Republic of Ireland exodus.

The midfielder has been in fine form for Black Cats since the beginning of the season but has failed to impress Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, who has resisted recalling him to his squad.

Reid spent much of last season out of the Sunderland side but after a gruelling summer regime he shed a stone in weight and has since won his place back under new boss Bruce.

The 27-year-old has made an assist in each of Sunderland's last three Premier League games and Bruce is reluctant to take any credit for the turnaround, while refusing to get drawn in by Trapattoni's decision-making.

"He has been arguably our best player for a month," said Bruce.

"But Trapattoni is a bit more experienced and better than I am, so that's his call."

"He has not missed a day's training since pre-season.

"The penny had dropped with him that you have to be in some physical condition to play in the Premier League, it's as simple as that.

"The single most thing that defines the Premier League to a Championship player is the physical condition of the Premier League teams is fantastic.

"If you are not physically capable, it does not matter how much ability you have.

Responsibilty

"Andy has to take the pat on the back - I am not taking any responsibility for that at all.

"He thought to himself in the summer, 'Right, I am going to go away and do something about it and not be ridiculed anymore', and to be fair to him, he has done extremely well since."

He added: "I can only say well done to him."

Meanwhile, Bruce has admitted he made an error in rushing summer signing Lee Cattermole back into the side which beat Wolves 5-2 on Sunday.

The midfielder was forced to withdraw from the game at half-time as the ankle injury which kept him out of the Black Cats' previous two games reoccurred.

"That was a mistake on my part," admitted Bruce. "He wanted to play desperately and knowing the kind of kid he is, I made a decision.

"He had only trained one day - he had been out for two-and-a-half weeks - and it was a mistake.

"In the Premier League, if you are not 100 per cent, then you get found out. I take the responsibility for that."

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