Sunderland will not miss Jones

TYNE AND WEAR, England (CMC):

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has revealed his frustration with Trinidadian international Kenwyne Jones' inability to live up to expectations at the Wearside club.

Jones left Sunderland on Wednesday in an £8-million transfer to Stoke City, reportedly taking a pay cut to move to the West Midlands.

"Towards the end with Kenwyne, things were not working out," Bruce said.

"So I have accepted Stoke's offer. The deal ... I think it will be in the interests of all parties.

"There has always been a frustration with me and, I think, with supporters, who have watched Kenwyne that you see an abundance of talent but it has not come out often enough."

Jones joined Sunderland from Southampton in the summer of 2007 in a six-million pound deal, making him one of the Wearsiders' highly prized front men.

In an injury-riddled three years at the club, he scored seven goals from just 19 starts in his first season, 12 goals in his second season before banging in another nine in last season's campaign that was also beset by injury.

Attracted attention

Displaying the pace and movement belying his six-foot, one-inch frame, Jones attracted the attention of clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham who unsuccessfully failed to lure him away from Sunderland.

Bruce, who took charge of Sunderland at the start of last season's campaign, said he hoped Jones excelled at Stoke City.

"In management, you get paid to make some important decisions," said the former Manchester United defender.

"Stoke have been badgering me for a year. Everyone knows they love a big, traditional centre-forward and he might go and suit them. I wish him well."

At Stoke, the 25-year-old Jones will link up with Jamaica's Reggae Boyz striker Ricardo Fuller.