Season over but no surgery for Bramble

Titus Bramble has been told he is unlikely to play again this season though the relieved 29-year-old defender says he does not need surgery on the knee cartilage damage which has sidelined him for the last two games.

Manager Steve Bruce fears his striker Fraizer Campbell, whose senior comeback from cruciate ligament damage he suffered in August was stalled by a recent training injury, could also miss the bulk of next season if he needs a second knee operation.