Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has been set a 20-goal mark for this season by Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

Gyan scored 11 English Premier League goals in his debut season in England last term but Bruce believes he is capable of doubling that tally.

"I think Gyan will be far, far better this year than he was last year," Bruce told the Daily Star Sunday.

"We want him to improve. He got a bad injury towards the end of last season, so I think it's a big year for Gyan and hopefully he can be better than he was.

"He certainly understands English football a bit better. He got 11 goals for us last season, so he's got a chance to get 20 this time."

Gyan's future has been the subject of constant speculation but Bruce says there has been no queries about his player.