Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce lines up Tottenham ace but Murphy is on his way
DARYL MURPHY is expected to be the first player that Steve Bruce off-loads when the transfer window opens tomorrow morning while Sunderland are considering making a bid for Tottenham defender Alan Hutton.[LNB] Bruce is ready to listen to offers of around £1m for Murphy who has failed to convince the boss that he should be part of the club's plans.[LNB] Ironically, the winger signed by Roy Keane in a £100,00 deal from Waterford, was outstanding in Monday's 2-2 draw at Blackburn.[LNB] But sources close to the player have confirmed that he will be leaving next month after four-and-a-half years on Wearside.[LNB] Murphy was expected to depart during Bruce's overhaul last summer, but a bid by former boss Keane to take him to Ipswich Town fell through after a failure to agree personal terms.[LNB] Ipswich retain an interest in the forward who can operate as a left-winger and striker with another five clubs keeping tabs on the situation.[LNB] Hull and Stoke are thought to be interested in the forward who has scored 14 times in 105 appearances for the Black Cats with Championship promotion- contenders Cardiff City also admirers of the Republic of Ireland international.[LNB] In July Murphy signed a one-year extension to his contract which runs until 2012 and his personal terms could again prove to be a stumbling block for potential bidders.[LNB] But with the forward desperate for first team football it looks increasingly likely that Saturday's FA Cup third round tie with Barrow could be his last appearance at the Stadium of Light.[LNB] Harry Redknapp's unwillingness to listen to offers for Sunderland-target Michael Dawson has forced Bruce to turn his attention to the versatile Hutton.[LNB] The right-back, who can also operate in a central defensive role, would offer Sunderland some much-needed defensive cover.[LNB] Hutton moved to White Hart Lane last January in a fee rising to £9m but he has struggled to impress on a regular basis. He was the subject of a reported swap that would have seen Sunderland's Anton Ferdinand move in the other direction in August. The deal was subsequently denied by both clubs.[LNB] With Bruce keen to strengthen both full-back positions, a move for Wigan Athletic's Maynor Figueroa and Hutton could be on the cards.[LNB] Meanwhile, Russell Anderson is not about to sign for Hibernian, according to the Scottish side's manager John Hughes.[LNB] The 31-year-old has started just once for Sunderland following his 2007 transfer.[LNB] Of the speculation linking Anderson with a January transfer, Hughes said: I'd like to think there'll be something happening in the window but it certainly won't be Russell Anderson.[LNB] Tickets for Sunderland's visit to Portsmouth on Tuesday February 9 have gone on sale, enabling season card holders to apply for their places up until 5pm on Thursday, January 14.[LNB] After selling their allocation for the past five away fixtures the club anticipates that demand will remain high for the trip to Fratton Park. Should any tickets remain, general sale will commence on Thursday January 21.[LNB] Tickets are priced at £20 for adults, £15 for over-65s and under-22s and £10 for juniors.[LNB] Tickets for Sunderland's next away fixture, on Saturday January 16 at Chelsea, are now on general sale.[LNB] They are £47 or £44 for adults and £19.50 for under-16s and over-65s.[LNB]
