Reading Countdown: Bruce hoping for Saturday survival

Last updated : 25 April 2008 By Paul Farrington
The former Manchester United captain has been pleasantly surprised with the quality of squad he inherited from Chris Hutchings and feels that should the club survive this summer, he won't need to make many changes.

Bruce said: "The good thing is that if we can win on Saturday, I can go and speak to the chairman and say where we're looking to strengthen. We have one or two targets and the agents are already on the phone so there will be a few acquisitions, I'm absolutely convinced of that.

"But there won't be any major shake-up because I've been absolutely delighted with the standard of the squad I've got. We're in the top 10 in the Premier League in terms of form over the 20 games since I came here and I've seen very good things.

"There are some young players who are very, very talented and if we can add one or two then we can keep making strides."


One addition is likely to be Marcus Bent for whom a fee of around £1 million has been agreed. Another name being linked with the club is that of Kevin Phillips who is out of contract with West Bromwich Albion this summer.

The 34 year old former England striker is unhappy with the deal being offered by the Baggies and is said to have caught the eye of Steve Bruce with his goalscoring talents over the years.