Source: Northern_Echo
Full-back is next on boss’ hit-list
STEVE Bruce's squad-pruning programme is set to continue next week with the sale of George McCartney to Birmingham City.[LNB] Sunderland revealed their squad numbers for the new season yesterday, and while youngsters Martyn Waghorn and Jack Colback were included on the list, there was no place for Anton Ferdinand, Matt Kilgallon or Mc- Cartney.[LNB] Ferdinand is close to agreeing a season-long loan with Italian side Palermo, while Kilgallon is expected to join Middlesbrough on loan for the first half of the season at the start of next week.[LNB] McCartney is also set to head through the exit door after Birmingham boss Alex McLeish made a formal inquiry for his services.[LNB] McLeish is keen to provide some cover for his first-choice left-back, Liam Ridgewell, and has sought assurances over McCartney's fitness after the 29-year-old missed the final three months of last season.[LNB] The Northern Ireland international is currently completing his recovery from an ankle problem, but McLeish is ready to step up attempts to sign him once his side has visited the Stadium of Light this afternoon.[LNB] Sunderland will demand a cash fee for the defender, having shelled out £4.5m to resign him from West Ham in 2008.[LNB] But having failed to hand the full-back a squad number, Bruce will be keen to reach a compromise that will be acceptable to all concerned.[LNB] With Kieran Richardson having agreed to play leftback this season, and Nedum Onuoha having arrived to provide further defensive cover, the Black Cats boss does not envisage McCartney featuring in his future plans.[LNB] Meanwhile, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has ruled out the sale of Peter Crouch, who has been linked with Sunderland following this week's exit of Kenwyne Jones.[LNB] Crouch's position at White Hart Lane was called into question when Spurs were credited with an interest in Craig Bellamy, but Redknapp insists he will not be parting company with the England international.[LNB] Not a chance, he said.[LNB] He isn't for sale. He isn't going anywhere. I'm a big fan of Peter's. I brought him to the club and I have no interest in letting him go.[LNB]
