STEVE BRUCE does not expect to make any new additions to the Sunderland squad he has inherited for a few more weeks yet.
Bruce faces competition from five Premier League clubs in the chase for Irish defender Richard Dunne but Manchester City will not sell until they have a top-class replacement in the bag.
Everton’s Joleon Lescott and Arsenal’s Kolo Toure are the two City manager Mark Hughes wants above them all, although Newcastle United’s Sebastien Bassong has also emerged on his radar.
And Hughes’s success on the transfer front during the remainder of this month will have a knock on effect at Sunderland.
Dunne is exactly the type of player Bruce feels is lacking at the Stadium of Light and is ready to meet the valuation, thought to be around £5m.
But the longer the wait goes on for Hughes to bring in a replacement, the more time there is for other clubs to come in and show their hand.
Sunderland are already aware of five Premier League clubs that are interested in the Republic of Ireland international, with Tottenham, Stoke City and Wolves thought to be among the contenders.
Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin has been considered as an alternative, although Sunderland want to be successful in their pursuit of Dunne.
If the 29-year-old does move to Wearside, he will be followed by others but Bruce is not looking to make wholesale changes to the playing staff.
But the former Wigan manager is looking to recruit and is keen to acquire proven Premier League players rather than those with potential.
Darren Bent and Lee Cattermole are also thought to be in Sunderland’s sights, there is, though, nothing imminent on either front.
There are expected to be departures too, but there has been no offers for any of Sunderland’s players so far, despite reported interest in Dean Whitehead, Daryl Murphy and Paul McShane.
But as more and more players return from holiday and international duty ahead of pre-season training early next month, there is expected to be movement in both directions before July.
■ Sunderland have announced two further preseason friendlies. After starting with a game at Darlington on July 16, they play Portuguese side Portimonense on July 19.
The trip to the Algarve, where the game will be played at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, will be followed by two matches in the Amsterdam tournament.
■ Darlington have confirmed pre-season games against the North East big three.
Colin Todd faces a tough challenge to get his squad ready for the visits of Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough next month.
Sunderland are expected to bring a large contingent of travelling fans to The Northern Echo Darlington Arena on Thursday, July 16, kick-off 7.30pm, for Bruce’s first game in charge of the Black Cats. Two days later, Newcastle head down the A1, kick-off 12.30pm, and Boro complete the line-up on Wednesday, July 29, 7.30pm kick-off.
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