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DANNY WELBECK will not rule out a permanent move to Sunderland - but boss Steve Bruce admits his dazzling form has created a Catch-22 situation.
The Manchester United forward, who is on a season-long loan, scored twice on Monday against Everton to take his goal tally to three in two games.
But with the England Under- 21 ace starting to catch the eye, Black Cats boss Bruce fears a full-time £7million switch for Welbeck is getting further away.
Bruce is desperate to strike a permanent deal for Welbeck, who celebrates his 20th birthday on Friday, and £6m-rated defender Nedum Onuoha, who is on loan from Manchester City.
Welbeck, who also scored in the 3-0 win at Chelsea, could fire his way back into Alex Ferguson's plans at Old Trafford.
But Bruce plans more talks with his old United boss Fergie over the youngster's future. He said: "Danny's a young lad and he's thriving on the challenge here. If he keeps playing like that, his price-tag will go up and put us in an impossible situation.
"We'd love him to stay, but how much will it cost now to buy him?
"The form he's showing now is why we brought him to the club. His ability has never been in question.
"The kid wants to play regularly, he's getting that with us and he's showing what a naturally gifted player he is."
Welbeck himself has left the door open to a permanent move to Wearside.
He revealed: "I've seen what Steve Bruce has said and I need to make a decision on my future.
"For now, I'm looking short-term. I just want to do my best in every game and I'm not thinking about whether I go back to United.
"My aim was to come here and get minutes on the pitch.
"At United, I was getting the odd chance here and there but I was never ready to take them.
"I'd miss loads of games and then I'd be thrown in and would struggle to do myself justice.
"It's different here. I'm playing every game and I'm getting better and better. You can see I am benefiting from it.
"I'm confident and I'm really enjoying my football."
Darren Bent and £13.4m record signing Asamoah Gyan have scored 11 of Sunderland's 17 league goals.
And after being used out on the wing, Welbeck is thriving in his preferred role up front.
He added: "We've relied too heavily on Bent and Gyan, so it's nice to finally contribute.
"It's taken me a bit of time but that's three in two and I've got to be happy with that.
"We're a great, hungry, young team who just want to go as far in the game as we can.
"The manager has had a massive influence on me. He's shown a lot of faith and I owe him a lot of thanks.
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"I'm learning my trade. I'm still developing. This experience is good for me and can only help."
After twice being pegged back by the Toffees in their last match Sunderland manager Bruce has challenged his players to adopt a more ruthless approach.
The Black Cats are in seventh place and Bruce admitted: "This club in its history hasn't been able to deal with expectation.
"We have now got back-to-back games against Wolves and West Ham - teams at the wrong end of the Premier League.
"We have played now, with 14 games gone, the top 10 of last year and haven't been beaten by any of them.
"I think we have made progress - but we will keep plodding along."