NYRON Nosworthy and Danny Collins have much work to do if they are to prove themselves to new Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, but Calum Davenport’s hopes of a permanent move to the Stadium of Light are already over.
Bruce has made the signing of a new centre-back his first priority in the transfer market with Wigan’s Titus Bramble, Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin and Manchester City’s Richard Dunne all heavily linked with a move to the Black Cats since he took charge just over a fortnight ago.
Neither Davenport nor Tal Ben Haim, who spent the last five months of the season on loan at Sunderland from West Ham and Manchester City respectively, are going to be offered a longer stay on Wearside and Bruce’s determination to sign a defender could also be bad news for Collins and Nosworthy.
Bruce, a centre-back as a player, believes the first and most important building block in a new side is at the heart of the back four and he is clearly unconvinced by the pairings he has inherited at the Stadium of Light.
Although the promising Anton Ferdinand is likely to keep his place after a decent first season at Sunderland, Bruce is looking to put a domineering physical presence alongside him, preferably one with experience like Distin or Dunne, although he is also a huge admirer of Bramble’s talent following their time together at Wigan.
Collins’ Sunderland story has been a triumph for dedication and determination as he has survived three different managers and converted himself into a more than adequate top-flight left-back.
Those qualities will once again serve him well under Bruce – who
will have got a thorough briefing on his new players from close friend Roy Keane – and the former Chester City player will not be forced out as part of the inevitable cull which comes when a new manager takes charge.
Whether Nosworthy is so fortunate remains to be seen and he could be the fall guy once Bruce has made a crucial breakthrough in the transfer market, as first team numbers are cut.
Although he remains a fans’ favourite at the Stadium of Light, Nosworthy missed much of last season with a hamstring injury and was kept out of the side by Davenport following his recovery at the tail end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have been linked with a move for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch after the England star publicly criticised the uncertainty surrounding the south coast club.
Pompey are in a similar situation to Newcastle United, with no manager in place while Sulaiman Al-Fahim continues to delay in completing his proposed takeover of the club.
That has incensed Crouch who, having regained his place in the England squad by playing regular first-team football, is looking for an escape route.
The Black Cats have also been credited with an interest in former Newcastle striker Lomana LuaLua, who now plays for Qatari side Al-Arabi but is keen to return to England.
Sunderland’s main target, though, remains Tottenham’s Darren Bent and the former Ipswich and Charlton striker is expected to complete a £10m to the North East in the next few weeks.
