 This represented a significant turnaround for a young defender who was barracked by City supporters at the start of the campaign.He missed the start of the 2001–02 season after a training ground shot from manager Trevor Francis broke his wrist.Francis was sacked just after Purse returned to full fitness, though the defender managed to keep his first team place under new boss Steve Bruce, and started 40 matches in the 2001–02 season.