Sunderland boss Bruce calls for winter break

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has supported the Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in asking for a winter break to be introduced into English football.

Ferguson suggested adopting a similar set-up to the German model, where teams are given a break in January and then resume with the domestic cup. "We have to try to arrest something," Bruce said. "Maybe try to restructure things. I've seen Sir Alex's quotes on a mid-season break – if we're going to be successful as a nation, that has to come into play. We are the only nation who doesn't do it."