ALEX BRUCE says Saturday’s home clash with AFC Bournemouth can’t come quickly enough – either for himself or Huddersfield Town.

The 27-year-old centre-back is desperate for a club debut after signing on loan from neighbours Leeds the Thursday before last.

The son of former Town manager Steve Bruce was an unused substitute as Lee Clark’s side suffered defeat for the first time in 44 regular League I games at leaders Charlton a week ago.

But the twice-capped Republic of Ireland international saw enough to convince him that the third-placed team can quickly get back on track as they bid for an automatic promotion place.

“Everyone within the game knows what Town have achieved in terms of their Football League record unbeaten run,” said Bruce.

“You don’t do something like that without having good players, and for me, that was quickly reinforced within hours of taking part in my first training session here.

“Unfortunately, time was limited before the Charlton game, and it was understandable that the manager thought it was too soon to pitch me straight in.

“But now I have a solid spell of training under my belt, as well as 60 minutes of the development game at Preston, and I’m more than ready if called upon.

“Losing at Charlton was a big disappointment, but it’s highly unlikely any side will go though a season undefeated, and it’s about how you respond.

“After a defeat, you always want a quick chance to put things right, but because it was an FA Cup weekend and we are out of the competition, we have had to be patient.

“But you can sense the determination among the players to show what we are really about, and we’re all eager to face Bournemouth.”

Out of favour at Leeds, who signed him for £200,000 from Ipswich in July 2010 and handed him 25 appearances last season, Bruce is delighted with his new surroundings.

“It’s been like a breath of fresh air, to be honest, and it’s great to feel wanted,” added the former Manchester United academy player who was handed his first professional contract by Blackburn.

“Lee Clark has a very good reputation and a great staff around him and the training sessions here are intense but enjoyable.

“I know Gary Roberts, Alan Lee, Tommy Miller and Jordan Rhodes from my time at Ipswich and Damien Johnson (pictured below) from when I was at Birmingham.

“The rest of the lads have been very welcoming, and I already feel that I have been around the place for a while.”

Town beat the Football League loan transfer deadline to bring in Bruce, who has played 208 club games in a career which has also featured loan spells at Oldham, Sheffield Wednesday, Tranmere and Leicester.

“It all happened pretty quickly,” explained the Manchester-based player ho was hampered by an ankle injury at the start of this season.

“I first heard about Town’s interest the day before the loan transfer deadline, and I was immediately keen, because I know what a good club this is.

“It’s been frustrating at Leeds because I’ve been training hard without having any real prospect of playing matches.

“If you aren’t in the first-team frame, then all you have to work towards is the occasional development match.

“I want to play competitive football, coming here gives me that chance, and I really want to make the most of it and force my way into the manager’s plans.

“At this stage, the loan is to January 2, and while we’ve just had a blank weekend, there are plenty of games coming up over the Christmas and New Year period.

“Being involved and helping Town get points on the board is my only concern at the moment, and if things go well, we’ll see what happens afterwards.”