Bruce brings in Webb to fix Black Cats' ill discipline

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has drafted in World Cup final referee Howard Webb in a bid to rein in his repeat offenders.

Lee Cattermole picked up the 10th red card of Bruce's tenure in Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Birmingham. Sunderland have collected more than 90 cautions under Bruce, driving the manager to turn to Webb for help.

The 39-year-old Yorkshireman, who produced 14 yellow cards and one red during Spain's World Cup final victory over the Dutch, spoke to the players after training yesterday.

Bruce said: "We have had 10 red cards now since I have been here. If my maths are right, that adds up to every four games we are having somebody sent off, which is ludicrous and we shoot ourselves in the foot with it. It's hard enough to win a Premier League game, let alone with all these stupid and avoidable red cards we are picking up.

"So we have had Howard here today giving a talk to the players. When you get somebody of Howard's calibre coming up and giving his time, the players will listen and hopefully take advice and learn from it."