Bruce hoping Jones will be fit to face Fulham

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed after Kenwyne Jones' return to action was ended prematurely by a dead leg.

However, Bruce is hopeful Jones will be fit to make the trip to Fulham on Sunday as the Black Cats attempt to find a remedy for their recent bout of travel sickness.The 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago frontman managed just 20 minutes of Tuesday night's 3-0 reserve team victory over Wigan on his return from suspension before he limped off with a dead leg.

Bruce told the Sunderland Echo: ``Kenwyne's got a dead leg and we expect him to be okay for the weekend. To lose him again would be a blow, but hopefully things will be fine - and he has an extra day to recover with the game not being until Sunday.''

Jones was injured as he won a 12th-minute penalty with his manager watching from the stands at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare ground.

It was his first action since he was needlessly sent off for pushing West Ham defender Herita Ilunga during the 2-2 Premier League draw between the clubs on October 31.

As a result, he missed the defeats at Tottenham and Wigan either side of a famous home win over Arsenal.