Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed defender Michael Turner came close to an England call-up last week.

Turner misses this weekend's glamour game against Arsenal through suspension - he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Sunderland's last outing, the 2-0 defeat by Spurs at White Hart Lane.

And Bruce revealed to the Shields Gazette: "I know Michael has been on standby for England in the past, and he was on standby this time too. He was close."