Sunderland manager Steve Bruce believes the capture of defender Michael Turner in the summer was the ‘signing of the season’.
Turner arrived from Hull for a fee of £4 million and his impressive form at the heart of the defence has helped the Black Cats make a fine start to the campaign, currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League.
Bruce said: “For me he is arguably the signing of the season for that sort of money. At the time Hull were desperate for money and we knew that, so we obviously acted.
“Usually transfers are paid over 12 months, but we paid in one hit. We thought it was going to be worth it.”
Turner was put on stand-by for England’s friendly defeat against Brazil last week, but Bruce is not ruling out the centre half emerging as a late contender for Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa.
He added: “There is always somebody that comes from nowhere and makes it into the squad. I won’t be surprised if it is Michael the way he has been playing. He has been terrific.”
Staying with developments at the Stadium of Light, goalkeeper Marton Fulop is out to make the most of his first team opportunities following the unfortunate broken arm suffered by Craig Gordon – although the Hungarian feels for his teammate and fellow stopper.
“It’s an awful experience to be playing well, enjoying your football and then be out because of injury,” he said.
“I am sorry that Craig has got hurt, but I have my chance again and I want to take it. I played the first three games of the season, but I was playing with an injury and couldn’t continue.
“Craig came in and did fine, so the manager did not change the team when I got fit. I hope I can take my chance and prove myself like I did last season when Craig was injured.”
