Source: Telegraph
Sunderland wait anxiously to see if Benjani deal is sanctioned by Premier League
Bruce had been hoping bolster his attacking options by bringing the Zimbabwean forward to the Stadium of Light but technical problems at the club are being blamed for preventing a deal being completed before Monday's 5pm transfer deadline. [LNB]Now Bruce is facing an anxious wait before officials in the Premier League registration department give his club special dispensation to sign Benjani on loan until the end of the season. [LNB] Related ArticlesSunderland 0 Stoke City 0Premier League actionPremier League tableTelegraph player raterTransfer deadline day as it happenedPremier League transfersSunderland had thought the deal had collapsed altogether over the weekend but then a proposed move to Blackburn broke down and Bruce's club revived their interest in the former Portsmouth forward on Monday ahead of their 0-0 draw with Stoke. [LNB]It remains to be seen whether Sunderland will be given clearance for Benjani to head to Wearside with Bruce needing new attacking options with David Healy and Daryl Murphy having headed to Ipswich on loan. [LNB]If a deal is ratified Benjani would come into contention for Saturday's visit of Wigan and he could earn himself a long-term stay at Sunderland with his City contract due to expire this summer. [LNB]For the time being, though, Benjani and Bruce are in limbo, according to the latest bulletin from Sunderland. [LNB]A statement on the club website said: "Stadium of Light chief Steve Bruce continues to wait on the loan signing of Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari. [LNB]"A deal was agreed between the two clubs yesterday afternoon and the paperwork was completed well ahead of the deadline. [LNB]"But technical problems with the club's network meant that email, telephone and fax systems at the training ground were not operating properly. [LNB]"Club officials are waiting for word of a decision by the Premier League. A timescale on the decision is unknown as yet." [LNB]Benjani would be Bruce's 11th signing since he took over as Sunderland manager last summer and would follow January transfer window deals for Sheffield United's Matt Kilgallon and Tottenham's Alan Hutton.[LNB]
