Sunderland chairman Bob Murray last night revealed that the club have opened contract talks with skipper Gary Breen, writes Scott Wilson.

The Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season, and will be free to talk to interested parties at the start of next month.

Mick McCarthy promoted Breen to the role of club captain earlier this year and, with his side currently third in The Championship, is desperate to keep the 30-year-old at the Stadium of Light.

Murray has already backed his manager by sanctioning the purchases of Stephen Elliott, Liam Lawrence and Dean Whitehead this summer, despite the need for a potentially expensive series of tribunals.

And, after admitting that McCarthy had made his role at the club "pleasurable again", the Wearside chief spelled out his determination to tie Breen down to a new deal.

"Gary Breen needs a new contract,'' said Murray. "He deserves a new contract. If we were in the Premiership, we would just give him one.

"We have got to watch what we are doing, but we have got to sort him out soon because he is in the last few months of his contract.

"He is a captain, he has moved up here and bought a house and we have obligations.

"I've spoken to his agent. He is the No 1 priority for Mick and is important to the future of this football club.''

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