Ferdinand, 24, has been unable to command a place in Bruce's side as fellow defenders Paulo da Silva, John Mensah and Michael Turner are above him in the pecking order.

The centre back has made 12 starts and three substitute appearances for the Black Cats but he is desperate for his place back in the team.

"He has every right not to be happy because he is not in the team at the moment due to the form of Mensah and Da Silva, who have played exceptionally well, and Michael Turner is available too," Bruce said.

"But he has just got to get on with it and wait for his chance to come again - which it will - and then make it very, very difficult for me to leave him out."

With Turner having established himself as Bruce's first-choice central defender and Da Silva and Mensah having also impressed, the former West Ham United man may have to wait some time for his chance.