Sunderland boss Steve Bruce hopes they avoid any injuries during international week.

Bruce is praying his players all return to the fold unscathed ahead of next weekend's game against Fulham at the Stadium of Light.

"The biggest problem you face is that you worry about the fitness of the players who go away with their countries," he said.

"You wonder if they are going to come back with knocks or niggles.

"After the last lot of internationals, two of them came back with problems.

"You just have to keep your fingers crossed that they will be OK.

"And, assuming they do come back fit, then you have to get them refocused on the job in hand again."