Alan Brazil not on talkSPORT again this week but Manchester United legend Steve Bruce comes off the bench for ill Breakfast host

Jan 27, 2026 - 22:00

Steve Bruce will sit in for Alan Brazil on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday with the legendary Scot still feeling unwell.

Brazil was taken off air last Thursday morning when taken ill during the broadcast and was replaced by Katie Shanahan.

Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce in the talkSPORT studio — Former Man United captain Bruce, who also managed Birmingham, Aston Villa and Newcastle, will be alongside Ally McCoist

Alan Brazil presenting his talkSPORT show at Cheltenham — In a statement, talkSPORT Breakfast host Brazil said he is counting down the days until Cheltenham

The long-standing host reassured listeners that he was okay and it was expected that he would return for his usual Wednesday morning slot.

But his recovery time is expected to take a little longer in the hope that he can return to the studio as quickly as possible.

In a statement, Brazil said: “Thanks for all of the messages I’ve received over the past couple of days. I’m fine, just have a wee ear infection, though one of my daughters said it sounds like a bad migraine! It’s funny as it’s often when Gabby is on with me!

“I will be back on Breakfast next week. Just six weeks to go until Cheltenham!”

And to show talkSPORT’s incredible squad depth, Manchester United legend Bruce, who captained the side during their early Premier League dominance, will bring his decades of experience, knowledge and anecdotes to the Breakfast show. He will be alongside Ally McCoist on Wednesday in what will undoubtedly be a fascinating listen.

Bruce is no stranger to talkSPORT having regularly contributed to shows over the last few months.

And the pair will be gearing up for what is going to be a blockbuster night of Champions League action with six Premier League teams all looking to finish in the top eight which would secure qualification for the round-of-16.

Only Manchester City go into Wednesday’s fixtures outside of the top eight and victory in their final match at home to Galatatsaray could be enough to see them skip past next month’s play-offs.

Arsenal are already through to the last-16 thanks to their impressive 100 per cent record and will be hoping to make it eight wins from eight games when they host Kairat Almaty.

Meanwhile, fourth-placed Liverpool will hope to put their domestic woes to one side when they play Qarabag at Anfield.

talkSPORT Breakfast host Alan Brazil in the radio studio — Brazil was expected to return on Wednesday but will now take an extended time off to fully recover from his illness

He joked the idea of listening to Gabby Agbonlahor alongside him in the talkSPORT studio might have given him a migraine

The Champions League trophy at San Siro. — Six Premier League teams will be dreaming of contesting the Champions League final in Budapest in May

Likewise, Tottenham Hotspur can secure their last-16 place when they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Elsewhere, Chelsea face a tough challenge to retain their top eight spot away at reigning Serie A champions Napoli.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, who Bruce previously managed, finish the league phase with a trip to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain with both teams locked on 13 points.

As for the Breakfast show, Ally will be joined by Gabby Agbonlahor on Thursday, while Ray Parlour will be in the hot seat on Friday with Shebahn Aherne.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app here.

Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.