ALEX Pritchard has told Sunderland he is no longer available for selection and expressed his desire to leave this month - but club sources say no official bids have been tabled for the wantaway midfielder.

Pritchard informed the club on Friday that he was going to make himself unavailable to play in the hope of forcing a switch this month.

Despite Pritchard's stance and reports of interest from Turkey and Birmingham City, no official offers have yet been made.

Sunderland won't stand in Pritchard's way this month but they'll only sanction a move if an acceptable offer lands for the midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Pritchard wanted a new deal last summer but at that stage Sunderland were assessing their options and delayed their offer of a new deal. Bradley Dack arrived and Pritchard was expected to move on but ended up staying at the Stadium of Light.

He has since played a key role for the Black Cats this season, leading to Sunderland offering the former Norwich and Huddersfield midfielder a one-year extension on his current terms earlier this month. Sunderland sources insist they want to keep Pritchard but the midfielder won't be accepting the offer and believes he has better offers and more security on the table elsewhere.

A club statement says: "On Friday morning, Alex Pritchard informed the club that he was no longer available for selection and he subsequently withdrew from today’s matchday squad.

"The midfielder also expressed his desire to leave SAFC with immediate effect.

"The club will be making no further comment at this moment in time."

In Pritchard's absence, Michael Beale has made two changes for today's game against Stoke City. Abdoullah Ba replaces Pritchard and Mason Burstow is up-front in place of Nazariy Rusyn.

Adil Aouchiche and Jewison Bennette are both absent from the bench.

Sunderland: Patterson, Seelt, Ballard, O’Nien, Hume, Neil, Ekwah, Ba, Bellingham, Clarke, Burstow

Subs: Bishop, Pembele, Triantis, Crompton, Rigg, Watson, Hemir, Mayenda, Rusyn