Sunderland boss Steve Bruce insists he is happy with Paulo Da Silva, despite the defender falling out of favour.
Black Cats boss still happy with Da Silva
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce insists he wants to keep defender Paulo Da Silva, despite the Paraguay captain falling out of favour in recent weeks.
The arrival of centre-half Matt Kilgallon from Sheffield United has seen the 30-year-old relegated to the bench, but Bruce maintains that the South American is still in his plans.
He told the
Sunderland Echo: "Paulo hasn't been starting games over the last couple of weeks but he has been coming on as a substitute and he's still a very important player for us.
"I think he's got a big role to play at Sunderland."
Rotation
Da Silva had enjoyed a consistent run in the team before Kilgallon's arrival, but has not started for the Black Cats since their 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
However, Bruce insists that squad rotation is a tactic he often employed at former club Wigan, where he was especially careful when blooding South American players who were not used to the rigours of the Premier League.
Bruce added: "He's still adapting to the English game as well as the climate, the country and the culture and we've got to do it right.
"I know I've banged on quite a bit this season about the South Americans taking their time to hit their stride when they come over to the Premier League, but that has always been my experience.
"When I was at Wigan and when you look at other clubs too, it tends to take them at least six months to settle and then you see them blossom.
"Paulo's had a lot on his plate and I'm very pleased with him but we've got to do it right to make sure we get the best out of him. He's still got a lot of football to play before this season's over."
Key player
The former Wigan boss was also quick to praise new signing Kilgallon, who he believes has the capacity to be an important player for Sunderland.
"He's not the finished product yet but he's got all the right attributes and he has improved in every game so far," beamed Bruce.
"He's young, he's in good shape, he's got the right attitude to the game and he wants to make the most of himself."
