Recently by Mark Douglas
ANTHONY Stokes' disappointing Sunderland career is set to draw to a close with a loan move to Hibernian.
Black Cats manager Steve Bruce wants at least two attacking reinforcements, and The Journal understands that he is close to striking deals for Spurs forward Darren Bent and Hull City striker Fraizer Campbell - also a target for Newcastle.
That spells the end for Sunderland's forgotten man Stokes, who is already way down the pecking order and in desperate need of first-team football after two seasons as a bit part player.
SUNDERLAND target Radoslav Kovac has opened the door for an approach from Steve Bruce - after his agent confirmed a move to Wearside would interest his client.
The Black Cats are actively in the market for midfield reinforcements and last week sought references for Czech Republic international Kovac (pictured left), who spent the second half of last season at West Ham.
STEVE Bruce has indicated a willingness to give Sunderland's young homegrown stars a chance during the club's pre-season campaign - after being handed glowing references about one of the Black Cats' teenage defensive prodigies.
Bruce is looking to add experienced heads with Premier League pedigree, with Manchester City captain Richard Dunne heading to the North East if the club agree to his request for a long-term contract.
THE publication of the Premier League fixture list has handed Sunderland the chance to extend their summer of opportunity into the autumn.
With England's brightest managerial talent in charge and Ellis Short's millions providing the financial muscle to back up Steve Bruce, there is justifiable excitement at the North East's only top-flight club.
And the first couple of months' fixtures highlights just how big an opportunity Sunderland have to establish themselves among the elite.
FORGOTTEN man Roy O'Donovan believes he still has a future at Sunderland under new boss Steve Bruce.
The Cork-born Roy Keane signing was fast-tracked into the first team after signing for the Black Cats three years ago and showed signs of fleeting promise in 19 Premier League appearances. But he disappeared completely from the first team radar last season, spending time on loan at Dundee and Blackpool before suffering an appendix problem that ended his season prematurely.
The smart money would be on new boss Bruce looking to shift on a player who is yet to make a significant impact in the English game, but O'Donovan is refusing to give up on his Sunderland career.
STEVE Bruce admits he faces a "baptism of fire" when Chelsea travel to Wearside for his first home match as Sunderland boss.
But Bruce has reiterated his prediction that exciting times lie ahead for the Black Cats. The publication of the Premier League fixtures yesterday handed Sunderland a programme that sees them face only one of the top flight's 'big four' throughout August and September.
Unfortunately for Bruce that is the visit of Carlo Ancelotti's Blues in the second game of the season, a match that he acknowledges will be a tough one for his remodelled Black Cats.
SUNDERLAND captain Dean Whitehead may be the first high-profile casualty of the Steve Bruce era.
The new Sunderland manager is preparing a move for Wigan's England under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole - casting fresh doubt over the future of unsettled Whitehead, a long-standing target of Phil Brown at Hull City.
The Tigers boss is on the look-out for midfield reinforcements with top-flight experience and Whitehead - who was the subject of an enquiry from Hull during the January transfer window - is one of "three or four" names on Brown's hit-list.
STEVE Bruce will return from holiday to begin his Sunderland revolution this week by trying to finalise a deal for Tottenham striker Darren Bent.
Bruce has been in Portugal since he was confirmed as the Black Cats boss a fortnight ago but it has been a working holiday and he has done plenty of background work on Bent while he has been away from Wearside.
The new managers return this week should see Sunderlands interest intensify, and despite claims yesterday that Spurs are looking for an eight-figure sum for Bent, the two clubs are believed to have agreed a fee in principle for the England striker.
CALUM Davenport is still hoping to secure a permanent move to Sunderland - despite the Black Cats making Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne their main defensive target.
Davenport was signed by previous boss Ricky Sbragia and after a long wait for a first team debut he posted some impressive displays as Sunderland battled to stay in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old stated his desire to stay on Wearside several times during his loan spell and Sbragia indicated an aspiration to keep him at Sunderland - but the appointment of Steve Bruce as manager and the Ellis Short takeover has shifted the financial parameters at the Stadium of Light.
BLACK Cats pair Paul McShane and Daryl Murphy are set to snub interest from former boss Roy Keane as they look to take advantage of a fresh start under new Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
Ipswich were credited with interest in the Republic of Ireland pair last week - along with winger Carlos Edwards - and The Journal understands that they are on a long list of players that Keane is looking at as he hopes to replicate the recruitment strategy that helped to get Sunderland out of the Championship.
But, despite being on the fringes of the first-team squad, neither player is keen on moving away from Wearside until they have at least had the chance to meet their new manager.
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