STEVE SO GLAD TO BE BACK

Blackpool challenge tempts veteran

- Chris Dunlavy

STEVE Bruce says Blackpool owner Simon Sadler has challenged him to get the Tangerines back into the Championship.

The former Newcastle and Aston Villa boss was unveiled on Tuesday, ending almost two years out of the game following his sacking by West Brom.

Now 63, it will mark the first time since a brief stint with Wigan in 2001 that Bruce has managed in the third tier and he doesn't intend staying there for long.

"Simon wants to get back into the Championship, and rightly so," said Bruce, who has managed over 1,000 games in professional football and boasts four Championship promotions, two apiece with Birmingham and Hull.

"They've ously had a taste of it the past few years and unfortunately missed out last year. I think they finished eighth. So the project is quite simple can we take them into the playoffs?