Sunderland's defeat to Liverpool also hit them hard on the injury front.
Sulley Muntari, Phil Bardsley and Danny Welbeck are now rated as doubtful to join up with their respective international squads.
Bruce said: "Phil will have a scan in the morning on his knee. Ferdinand's is a straight kick - he should be okay. Muntari's is a calf injury and Richardson's is a hamstring.
"That is a frustration for me because just as we think we are all singing and dancing again, we have lost two who have been mainstays over the last few weeks. It's frustrating.
"I will have a conversation with Stuart Pearce over Danny Welbeck and the Under-21s. I did have a conversation with Stuart, who was only going to play him in one game anyway.
"I am sure he will be sensible enough with him.
"We have made a call to the Scottish FA - I can't see Phil joining up. I can't see Muntari joining up with Ghana, but until we have scans and get results.
"They have got to report these days to their own FAs, but I would have thought they would all be extremely doubtful."
