Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce sights on O’Hara
STEVE BRUCE will attempt to make Portsmouth loanee Jamie O'Hara his first summer signing provided Sunderland retain their Premier League status this season.[LNB] Bruce signed seven players last summer, and the Black Cats boss expects to be similarly busy in the next close season as he attempts to improve a squad that will continue its current fight for Premier League safety against Bolton tomorrow.[LNB] He is particularly keen to bolster a midfield which has been exposed on a number of occasions this season because of injuries and suspensions to the likes of Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole.[LNB] With Steed Malbranque set to leave the Stadium of Light this summer, Bruce will be on the look-out for at least two midfielders, and O'Hara has emerged as a leading target given Portsmouth's expected inability to sign him on a permanent basis from Spurs.[LNB] The south coast club, who are in administration, will not be spending seven-figure fees whatever division they are playing in next season, and O'Hara is expected to head a long line of players leaving Fratton Park.[LNB] The 23-year-old is currently on loan from Tottenham, but Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed he does not have a long-term future at White Hart Lane.[LNB] Redknapp will listen to offers once the transfer window reopens at the start of June, and Sunderland are expected to be one of a number of clubs expressing an interest.[LNB] West Ham and Wigan have also been linked with O'Hara, but Bruce will hope he can tempt the midfielder to the North-East.[LNB] He will also attempt to set up a permanent deal for another Spurs player, full-back Alan Hutton.[LNB] Hutton has impressed since joining the Black Cats on loan during the January transfer window, making four starts and successfully shoring up the right-hand side of the back four.[LNB] However, Spurs will be keen to recoup the majority of the £9m they paid to sign Hutton from Rangers in January 2008, and agreeing a fee could prove problematic.[LNB] Before he can begin to consider his summer options, though, Bruce must first secure Sunderland's top-flight status.[LNB] Bolton's 2-1 win at West Ham sent the Black Cats tumbling to 15th place in the table at the weekend, their lowest position in the whole of the campaign.[LNB] Tomorrow's home game with the Trotters offers an early chance to pull clear of the bottom three, and with John Mensah and Lee Cattermole likely to be fit, Bruce could name the same side that drew 0-0 with Fulham eight days ago.[LNB]
