Bramble had been ever-present this season prior to Tuesday's game

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has given his backing to defender Titus Bramble, who has been questioned by police over an allegation of rape.

Bramble, 29, has been released on bail after being arrested at a Newcastle hotel on Wednesday.

He missed Tuesday evening's Carling Cup game with a slight knock but is fit to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Bruce said: "Titus wanted to train today and prepare for the game. He wants the matter resolved quickly."

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn had earlier backed the former Ipswich, Newcastle and Wigan player in a statement.

Black Cats manager Bruce has now backed him too, adding: "I reiterate what the chairman has put out, how we are fully supportive of him and we will stand by him."

Bruce reiterated Quinn's claim that Bramble had done nothing wrong, though he admonished the defender for having had a night out when he was not supposed to have been out.

Without the injured Bramble, Sunderland lost the Carling Cup game 2-1 to West Ham and return to Premier League action on Saturday looking for their second win of the season.

The former England Under-21 international was arrested with his elder brother Tesfaye at the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle on Wednesday after a 19-year-old woman complained to police.

Tesfaye Bramble made over 200 Football League appearances for Southend, Cambridge United and Stockport and has since played in non-League football.

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