Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce set to trim his squad
SUNDERLAND'S players will reconvene for the opening day of their pre-season programme this morning, with Steve Bruce determined to trim the size of his squad.[LNB] Two of the Black Cats' three summer signings will be present at the Academy of Light, with Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Egyptian defender Ahmed al- Muhammadi set to meet their new team-mates for the first time.[LNB] Paraguay internationals Cristian Riveros and Paulo Da Silva have been given another three weeks off however, following their World Cup exploits in South Africa.[LNB] Marcos Angeleri will be another notable absentee, as the Argentinian defender is still waiting for his Italian passport to arrive, a development that will trigger the completion of his £1.5m move from Estudiantes.[LNB] While Angeleri is not yet able to train in the North- East, a host of fringe players will be back on Wearside this morning despite Bruce having already decided they do not figure in his plans for next season.[LNB] The likes of David Healy, Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy and Teemu Tainio will all kick off pre-season with the Black Cats despite spending the majority of last season away on loan.[LNB] George McCartney, Phil Bardsley and Marton Fulop will also be present even though they are unlikely to feature in the 25-man squad Bruce must submit to the Premier League ahead of the start of the new season.[LNB] Unsurprisingly, the Sunderland boss is keen to move the septet on, but finding a club willing to pay for their services and match the wages they are receiving will be difficult.[LNB] Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell is keen to sign Nosworthy on a permanent basis but the Blades are reluctant to pay the £500,000 fee Sunderland are demanding.[LNB] Similarly, Celtic, Ipswich and Reading have all expressed an interest in Murphy, but are unable to offer the Republic of Ireland international a similar wage to the one he is currently earning.[LNB]
