Bruce resigned from the managers post at Selhurst Park three-and-a-half years ago before replacing Trevor Francis in the hot-seat at St Andrew's just a few months later. "They are having a good go at staying there and have an excellent manager who they should be proud of. "I'm not sure whether they will still be disappointed in me, we shall have to wait and see. "There were reasons for what happened when I left which I am not prepared to go into." "He played the best part of five years for them from a young boy and had a fantastic record. "He could have left them when they where in administration but he stuck it out and did very well for them, so too did Julian. "Understandably they'll probably get a bit of stick as well which goes with the territory when an old player goes back always does. "We've seen it happen before and I'm sure they are big enough to handle it. They'll both enjoy the occasion and try their utmost to get the right result."
A fall-out between the two clubs arose from that saga with Blues having to pay a hefty compensation fee to the London club for Bruce's services.
Bruce felt the wrath of the Selhurst Park home fans on his one and only return to the ground as Blues boss back in April 2002 and he now returns to the home of the Eagles again on Saturday fully prepared for whatever reception awaits him this time.
"What has happened is all water under the bridge. Palace are in The Premiership and that is where they wanted to be," Bruce told Sky Sports News.
Both Gray and Morrison return to Selhurst Park for the first time since their moves from Palace to Blues.
Gray signed on a free transfer last summer having turned down the offer of a new contract at Selhurst Park whilst Morrison moved to St Andrew's two-and-a-half years ago in a deal which saw Palace fans favourite Andrew Johnson move in the opposite direction.
"There's nothing quite like going back to your old club, and Clinton made his name there," Bruce added.