SUNDERLAND are preparing to fight off renewed interest in Grant Leadbitter this summer, with manager Ricky Sbragia claiming the midfielder is exactly the type of player he likes to have around.

Wigan are thought to have made a move for Leadbitter in January and Sbragia confirmed last night that he knocked back one bid for the former England Under-21 international just after the turn of the year.

At a time when Djibril Cisse continues to be linked with a close-season switch to Tottenham when his loan reaches an end at the Stadium of Light, Sbragia insists that Leadbitter is one talent he is keen to retain.

The 23-year-old – also likely to attract interest from boss Roy Keane at Ipswich – has been left frustrated on numerous occasions this season after failing to hold down a first team place under both Sbragia and his predes=cessor Keane.

But he has found that his opportunities have been on the rise, with the current Sunderland manager admitting he has been wrong to leave him out on occasions.

The player’s endeavour and application was a key factor in Sunderland’s crucial 0-0 draw at Bolton last weekend, when Leadbitter performed solidly on the left of a five-man midfield.

“Grant has always been a good player,” said Sbragia.

“We had an offer in the window for him from a Premier League club, we refused it. He is a Sunderland die hard, we didn’t play him at West Brom and maybe I made a mistake on that. I said that to him.

“I know what we get from him. He is good on the ball, always works hard, good ability.

I wanted him to stay here, I knew what I had.

“The money was not what we wanted even if we even thought about selling, which we didn’t. He is a good Premier League player, from now on I think he will kick on.”

Sbragia admits that there is a time when it could be right for a departure, but insists that this summer will not be the time to cash in on Leadbitter, who remains under contract.

“Sometimes players are maybe at a club too long, he’s been here since he was nine, it’s a long time, and he might want a change but I still want him to stay,” he said.

“He is good to have around and has a lovely football brain.

Wherever he plays it’s never a problem, he just does it. He is intelligent enough to know what is required from him.

“He is low maintenance. He wants to do well for Sunderland, he has been a supporter and been through it all. He now has a chance to readdress that.”

Sbragia’s “low maintenance” comment is not something normally associated with unsettled team-mate Cisse.

The French striker had hoped to have sealed a permanent switch to Sunderland well before now, but there has been a reluctance to complete a transfer that would amount to around £10m.

“I can’t do anything about it and I’m not that concerned,”

said Sbragia. “Djib is a Sunderland player, we pay him, and when we’re over the line we will address it.

“He knows the situation and it keeps popping up and it’s not coming from our side.

I don’t know whether it is coming from his side.

“He is available for selection and we sacrifice players to play different systems. I have another eight or nine players who are not happy but they’re not in the papers every week. It’s part and parcel of football.