SUNDERLAND are monitoring Liverpool’s pursuit of Sylvain Distin after asking Portsmouth about the former Newcastle defender’s availability.

Steve Bruce, the Black Cats boss, has earmarked Manchester City’s Richard Dunne as his top defensive target but faces competition from Tottenham and Stoke.

But Bruce is determined to keep his options open, in fear that Sunderland could lose out in their chase for the £5mrated Republic of Ireland international.

But their chances of luring Distin to the North-East have had to be put on the back burner, as Portsmouth are in the process of being taken over and are yet to appoint a permanent manager.

With the future at Fratton Park so uncertain, Liverpool are believed to have asked about the possibility of snapping up the French defender.

Liverpool, who have also tabled a £17m-plus offer for England right-back Glen Johnson, are preparing a £2m bid for Distin and there are suggestions that Portsmouth will eventually sell.

The 31-year-old will be a free agent next season and Pompey know that they could be better of cashing in now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

Manchester City are also interested in acquiring Distin and Mark Hughes, the manager at Eastlands, is expected to trump any Liverpool offer.

If that did occur then a move to Manchester for Distin would increase Sunderland’s chances of sealing a deal for Dunne.

Bruce has been working this week having returned from holiday on Monday and he is plotting ahead with his recruitment plans.

The former Wigan manager is on the look out for new faces, with Dunne, Distin, Lee Cattermole, and Darren Bent highest in his thoughts at this stage.