SUNDERLAND remain confident of winning the race to sign Keiren Westwood next month despite late interest in him from Leeds United.

Westwood is due to sign for the Black Cats on July 1 when he becomes a free agent after his contract at Coventry City has expired.

He has already agreed the terms of a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light after spending Friday on Wearside.

However, Leeds are trying to derail the deal by attempting to convince him that he will be guaranteed first team football at Elland Road – something less certain at Sunderland.

But Bruce is thought to have indicated to the Republic of Ireland international that he will start the season as first choice ahead of Simon Mignolet, while Craig Gordon is sidelined through injury.

Such a prospect has already successfully fended off late interest in him from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouth, but Leeds have identified him as their number one choice to replace Kasper Schmeichel.

Schmeichel is on the verge of a £1.5m switch to Leicester and Leeds boss Simon Grayson will use some of that to help boost his bid to land Westwood.

Bruce, aware that Leeds can only offer half the weekly wage he will be earning at Sunderland, remains satisfied he has done enough to sign the 26-year-old.

He wants Westwood and Mignolet to be his two leading goalkeepers next season after accepting Gordon, interesting Rangers, that could be sold as he heads towards the final year of his contract.

The Westwood situation is similar to that faced by Sunderland on a couple of other fronts.

As revealed yesterday, Aston Villa are set to make a last-minute move to prevent Seb Larsson from heading to the North-East.

And it has emerged South Korean striker Ji Dong-won is in two minds after receiving late interest from PSV Eindhoven.

PSV’s success with Lee Young-Pyo and Park Ji-Sung over the last ten years have left the Far East believing the Dutch league is a good breeding ground for Asian talent.

Despite Sunderland’s agreement with his club, Chunnan Dragons, over an £800,000 fee, PSV have now entered the bidding with a slightly higher offer.

Dong-won is now torn between the two, but Sunderland have told the 20-year-old that they will not wait for long.

The club’s legal director Margaret Byrne said: “We are still waiting for Chunnam’s official response. There are many things to be cleared if Ji needs to be in our pre-season tour and we just can’t sit and wait.”

Dong-won, a highly-rated striker, said: “I personally want to play for the best team I can and where I can get more chances to play. Eindhoven is a great club that often tops the league. However, I heard the Dutch league is not like the old days.

“Sunderland is a mid-level team, so there is always change in the squad. But Sunderland are playing on the big stage called the Premier League.”

One striker who has outlined an intention to stay at Sunderland is £13m man Asamoah Gyan.

The Ghanaian has been the subject of speculation that he will be sold, with Tottenham and Stoke credited with an interest.

But Gyan said: “I am not leaving Sunderland and I am not interested in these rumours. I am fully committed to Sunderland because I love the institution and traditions of this club.

“I am staying at Sunderland next season and for the foreseeable future and I am looking forward to meeting my team-mates and Sunderland fans when we return next month.”