WIGAN have given Steve Bruce permission to talk to Sunderland as confirmation arrived that American Ellis Short is to assume 100 per cent control of the club.

But sources close to Sunderland have claimed that they have pulled out of any possible deal for Bruce after becoming frustrated with a lack of progress.

Sources in the North-West had earlier revealed that Wigan had agreed for their manager to talk over a move, without a compensation package being agreed. That has complicated matters, with Bruce's switch to the Stadium of Light now in danger of collpase.

The two clubs had been in deep negotiations after it emerged Short and chairman Niall Quinn had identified the Latics' Corbridge-born boss as the man they wanted to replace Ricky Sbragia.

On Tuesday night Bruce said: "There's always speculation and you cannot stop that. It is flattering. But I'm very, very pleased with what's happened with us (Wigan) and I'm quite pleased with what's happening in the future, so we'll see what develops."

As Sunderland weighed up the Bruce situation they also admitted that majority shareholder Short is on the verge of assuming "100 per cent" control.

"This is fantastic news for the club. Ellis has already shown tremendous commitment to date but today's announcement opens the door for a new era at the Stadium of Light," said Quinn.

"Even before today he has personally invested more in Sunderland than all previous chairmen, directors and owners combined in the club's history.

"Last last summer he injected tens of millions of pounds to fund our new signings and the resultant increased wage bill.

"In going forward, as long as we invest the funds wisely, he will continue to provide what has been the missing ingredient in Sunderland's make up, namely the financial muscle necessary to compete at the highest level."

Quinn also revealed Short's involvement helped Sunderland to turn down an offer worth £20m for Kenwyne Jones in January.

Short's control means the the Drumaville consortium will now step aside, with Drumaville chairman John Ryan and fellow non-executive directors Pat Bierne, John Hays, Charlie Chawke and Owen McGartoll departing.

The new Sunderland board will be streamlined and made up of Quinn, Steve Walton, Lesley Callaghan, Margaret Byrne and Chris Woerts.