Steve Bruce has identified Lorik Cana's "appetite and desire" to succeed on the pitch as the driving forces behind his appointment as the club's captain.

Cana was handed the armband on a permanent basis recently, captaining the side for the first time against Stoke and then getting his tenure off to a winning start at the Stadium of Light against Hull on Saturday.

Bruce had played his cards close to his chest in pre-season, hedging his bets while appointing Danny Collins as temporary skipper.  The defender eventually left the club bound for Stoke City.

Meanwhile Cana has become a firm fans' favourite thanks to his all-action style of play and established himself as the ideal candidate to step into the breach.

Speaking exclusively to safc.com, Bruce said: "He's captained his country and captained Marseille; when I was targeting him I knew he would lead by example.

"You only have to watch him to realise what he brings to the table as captain.  Lorik may not be the most voiciferous, but he plays the game with an unbelievable appetite and desire.

"People follow him and he was the natural choice, although to be fair I had a few candidates to choose from with the additions of Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole.

"I plumped for Lorik in the end and I am certain he can handle being the captain of this football club."

Meanwhile Bruce also lifted the lid regarding his nerves about penalties.  The gaffer scurried up the tunnel when his side were awarded a spot-kick on Saturday and only returned once Darren Bent had slammed home from 12 yards.

"It's just a little superstition I have," he explained.  "I just don't watch them!"

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