Spurs 'are on the heels of big guns'

Bruce takes his Black Cats side to White Hart Lane tonight to meet a team he believes are on the verge of mounting a serious challenge to the league's traditional powers after forcing their way into the top four at the end of last season.

He said: "They have invested in the squad, they have a great manager in Harry (Redknapp], they play the game the way it should be played - they have got everything going for them.

"I think on the quiet, they have got a chance of not just qualifying for Europe, but of being a really big threat to the Chelseas and the Arsenals and the Manchester Uniteds of this world because they are very, very close. They are a good team."

Sunderland travelled south having started the process of rebuilding their reputation in the wake of their 5-1 defeat by arch rivals Newcastle with a 2-0 win over Stoke on Saturday.

But they did so with star striker Darren Bent facing several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and defender John Mensah having damaged a shoulder at the weekend.

However, three valuable points, which came courtesy of a double from record signing Asamoah Gyan on his first Premier League start, raised confidence levels ahead of tough trips to Spurs and Chelsea.

Bruce said: "We have repaired some damage. We hung on in there, we showed a bit of grit and determination and we will look forward to the challenge of two great games against Tottenham and Chelsea."