Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has hailed Andy Reid's attempts to get physically fit and available for selection. The 28-year-old midfielder, on his first competitive start of the campaign, netted a brace in a Man of the Match performance at Norwich.

The Black Cats boss told the Daily Express: "Since I have been here he has done his best to impress. He has lost a lot of body fat and he is visibly a different player.

"He has done his best to get himself in the team and has asked a big question of me. Do I include him in the team? He has taken it on himself and he knows to play at this level you have to be physically fit.

"Fair play to Andy because he has done everything he can physically. His ability has never been questioned. He has lost 9kg and that is a remarkable turnaround."