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 manager’s return this week should see Sunderland’s 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.

That is understood to be a basic £8m, with extras that could see the deal rise above the £10m mark.

Although he is yet to speak to Bruce directly, Bent and his representatives certainly appear to be keen to move the striker to the North East – where he knows that regular first-team football will put him in with a chance of making Fabio Capello’s World Cup party.

Bent became frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Tottenham and, with Spurs linked with Real Madrid’s Ruud van Nistelrooy and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, it appears unlikely that Harry Redknapp will go the whole summer without bringing in more striking reinforcements.

In addition, Bruce should be able to sell him a club with renewed optimism after Ellis Short’s takeover and the appointment of one of the best English managers in the business.