SUNDERLAND face a fight for Wimbledon defender Kenny Cunningham after Birmingham emerged in the race to sign the player.

Cunningham has already held talks with the Black Cats over a move to the North-East but Birmingham chief Steve Bruce is now tracking the player.

The centre-back, who played for the Republic of Ireland in this summer's World Cup, is understood to be available for a cut-price £750,000, and Bruce insists he would love the Dons star to join his Premiership new boys.

"There is an interest in Kenny but other clubs are looking at him so we'll have to wait and see," said former Manchester United skipper Bruce.

The development came as Sunderland finally clinched the signing of highly-rated midfielder Sean Thornton from Second Division Tranmere Rovers.

The 19-year-old, whose contract at Prenton Park ran out in June, has been tracked by Reid for a number of months and he will be relieved to finally get his man.

Thornton is delighted with the move saying: "I am looking forward to be joining Sunderland and having the opportunity to play in the Premiership."

Thornton, who has only made nine appearances - scoring one goal - for Tranmere, and was the Merseyside club's prize asset.

And last month Rovers were fuming when the player apparently trained with Sunderland, agreed terms and passed a medical without their consent.

At the time Tranmere chief Dave Watson - an ex-teammate of Reid at Everton - blasted: "It seems that Sunderland have tried to snatch our player by making an illegal approach.

"Both Sean and Sunderland have shown a complete lack of respect for Tranmere Rovers and the FA and Football League rules, which is totally out of order."

Despite Sunderland now securing their second signing of the summer, after Phil Babb's arrival on a free from Sporting Lisbon, the two clubs have yet to agree a compensation package for Thornton despite months of talks - he is valued at £1m by Watson.

Reid is still hoping to bring in a multi-million pound striker to partner Kevin Phillips up-front.

The Sunderland chief, adamant that Phillips is going nowhere despite apparent interest from Arsenal and Tottenham, is still hoping to conclude a deal to bring Robbie Keane to Wearside.

Keane's agent, Tony Stephens, is likely to be approached again this week to see whether the player has budged on his initial stance that he is reluctant to move away from Elland Road.

But a lot could hinge on whether new Leeds boss Terry Venables sees the Irishman in his plans.

Derby striker Malcolm Christie is also understood to be on Reid's wanted list should Sunderland fail in their bid to land Keane.

Meanwhile, Sunderland - quoted at 1,000-1 to win the Premiership - have denied a newspaper report suggesting they have suffered a massive snub from season ticket holders.

A year ago the Wearsiders sold 36,000 season tickets for their impressive 48,300 stadium.

But following their disappointing campaign last year, when they only managed to avoid relegation on the last day, it was reported that just 23,000 tickets have been snapped up so far during the summer. However, a Sunderland spokeswoman said: "There is no way at all that anyone could know the figures because we don't even know.

"The deadline was only Friday and all we know is that there are still bags of mail still to be opened.

"We have never released season ticket sales at this stage in five years so we are not going to start now. We will release those details nearer the start of the new season."

* Birmingham are also finally set to complete the signing of Senegal's World Cup midfielder Aliou Cisse for around £1.5 m from Paris St. Germain.

Cisse has arrived in England with his agent and held talks with Blues' manager Steve Bruce after verbally agreeing a four year contract with the Blues.

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