Newcastle United will be without the services of Valentino Lazaro for the clash with Burnley after he was issued a red card against the Eagles on Saturday.
Lazaro was the last man when Wilfried Zaha burst forward at the end after Newcastle lost possession in the Palace final third.
But Bruce felt it was harsh on the winger and offered his support for the on-loan Inter Milan player.
After the game, Bruce said: "With 10 seconds to go, does the referee really have to send him off?
"Is a yellow not sufficient?
"But rules are rules, and we will abide by it.
"He played very well today, we didn't find him enough - in wide areas, we ignored the lad.
"We needed to get it out to him, but he played very well."
United will hope that Christian Atsu is available for the encounter with Burnley after the Ghana international missed the clash at Palace due to illness.
Bruce said: "Our biggest problem all season has been evident - we have to create more of a threat in the opponent's area.
"We have to look at it and analyse it.
"Maybe change is sometimes for the best."
Bruce had no complaints about the final outcome at Selhurst Park and tried to take the defeat on the chin and move on.
He said: "The better team won.
"We have had decent possession, but we gave the ball away too cheaply especially when in good areas.
"We didn't ask questions, maybe it is a time to change - we have to score to win a game.
"It was difficult with the conditions, but we have no complaints saying the better team won."
