DISCUSSIONS between Niall Quinn and Steve Bruce over the last few weeks have left the decision-makers at the Stadium of Light clear on what is required to turn Sunderland into a real force next season.

Chairman and manager are united in the belief that it is the traits of one of Quinn’s former team-mates who the Black Cats are looking for this summer.

Kevin Ball, Quinn’s captain on Wearside for a time, was renowned for crunching challenges which lifted the passion in the stands at both Roker Park and the Stadium of Light.

Bruce also remembers his playing career well, drawing on memories of the way Bryan Robson and Roy Keane led by example by striking fear into opposing players during their days at Manchester United.

And it is that sort of spirit and drive that Bruce wants to see in the Sunderland team next season, having witnessed two years of only little glimpses of Keane’s way reflecting in the Sunderland style.

Lee Cattermole and Richard Dunne are two targets who boast such a dogged style and Quinn hopes that Sunderland will no longer be a soft touch.

The Sunderland chairman, though, is also convinced there are players already at the club who have the ability and capability to become important characters both on and off the pitch.

“Kevin Ball led the place in my time here and he was an exceptional character. But then that breeds three or four others and we just didn’t quite have that last year,”

said Quinn.

“I’m looking forward to people like Andy Reid becoming men this year. I hope it happens. I hope we bring in one or two people and that sparks and then others up their game and up their responsibility levels and up their opinions of themselves, more than anything.

“When Anton Ferdinand matures, he’s got the opportunity to become an international footballer for England.

Kieran Richardson can have a brilliant career if he steps up that maturity level. And it doesn’t happen because you talk to them, it happens because they see it around them.

“There are a couple of others who can go a lot further than they have done and that’s what our task is this year.”