Sunderland manager Steve Bruce admits he has been shocked by the rise of midfielder Jordan Henderson as the calls for his selection into the England squad for next month's friendly against France grow.
Henderson, who has figured prominently for the Black Cats and Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 team this term, is thought to be in Fabio Capello's thoughts, but Bruce is not surprised with the interest after a number of stirring displays.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Championship side Coventry City at the end of last season and, when asked if he predicted a dramatic impact, Bruce said:"You would have to say honestly, no.
"But I have to tell you, when I walked through the door, more than any other player, he grabbed me – and he grabbed me within two training sessions. I asked, 'Who's that?'
"To be fair, I had more conversations when I first got the job about Jordan than any other player. He must have done exceedingly well at Coventry, which we know he did.
"We had half the Championship wanting to take him on loan again, so I had heard a little bit about him. I had seen him and been recommended him once by my chief scout saying Sunderland had a hell of a player when he was at Coventry.
"But he grabbed me straight away in the first couple of training sessions and hasn't looked back. He has done fantastically well."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
