Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will quit if he feels the abuse from fans is affecting his players.

Bruce has conceded for the first time he could be forced out by the boo boys - but insisted last night that he still wants to fight on.

Fury erupted on the Stadium of Light terraces at the 2-1 defeat by Wigan and the club's relegation form since mid-January.

Taunted with chants of "Fat, Geordie b*****d, get out of our club", Bruce said: "If I thought that by me going, it would help everybody, then I would consider it. But I don't think that right now. I just want to get it right.

"Whatever abuse is thrown at me, I would never walk away - never. It's not in my nature at all.

"But if I thought it would help, then I would certainly have a think about that."