Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is delighted with the form this season of Jordan Henderson.

Henderson made his senior debut for the club in a 5-0 defeat at the same venue during the previous season, and it is a measure of how far he has come since that he is in consideration in a place for England boss Fabio Capello's latest squad, which will be announced tomorrow evening.

Bruce said: "It would be a fantastic rise for the boy. He is the modern-day player. He is constantly at 13km a match, which takes some doing.

"He's 6ft 2ins, he can run up and down, but for me the biggest attribute he has is not just his football ability, but he wants to be a football player.

"There are no real distractions for him and I hope that continues.

"I will do my damnedest, as I am sure his family will, to make sure he keeps that attitude because all the kid wants to do at the minute is play football, which in this day and age is quite refreshing."