"I thought he was excellent against Cardiff last Sunday and gave another impressive performance against Derby.
"I think he is going to be a huge favourite with the crowd with the way he plays.
"If he can nick another couple of goals he will do us a huge favour.
"It's been a bit of a stop-start for him since he came from Luton. His contribution to the team and the dressing room has been very good.
"His work-rate epitomises us and let us hope that he is the player who can take us to promotion."
Bruce admitted he had no qualms about the sending off of McSheffrey. He said: "We all know it was a bad foul.
"He will now be missing for the next three games but we have a big enough squad capable of taking us up.
"But there are still 30 points to play for and anything can happen. We are in the driving seat and we have to maintain our present form."