Sunderland and Steve Bruce will build new squad

17 June 2011 14:39
ShareSunderland chairman Niall Quinn has promised to help manager Steve Bruce build an exciting squad for the new Barclays Premier League campaign.[LNB]The fixture list will see Bruce's side pitched into battle with Liverpool at Anfield on the opening day of the season, a date which could see former Black Cats midfielder Jordan Henderson make his league debut for the Reds against his home-town club.[LNB]They then welcome arch-rivals Newcastle to the Stadium of Light a week later for their first home game with revenge for last season's disappointments firmly in mind.[LNB] Support: Niall Quinn (right) has promised to fund Steve Bruce's efforts to add to his Sunderland squad[LNB]Henderson's departure on top of that of Darren Bent in January has left Bruce with a major rebuilding job to do as he attempts to both replace key players and strengthen the squad they have left behind, and Quinn is confident he will do just that.[LNB]'The journey begins again and it promises to be an interesting one,' the Irishman told the club's official website.[LNB]'We have got a tough start to the season, but you have to play everyone twice during the course of the season, so it all evens itself out.[LNB]'We are looking to build an exciting squad to meet the challenges to come, and I'm confident we will be able to do that.[LNB]'As a club, we are exploring a number of potential signings and have been speaking to a number of players and agents.[LNB] Target: David Ngog[LNB] Target: Charles N'Zogbia[LNB] Target: Darron Gibson [LNB] 'There's a real sense of excitement now and I hope the fans will get behind us and back us through the turnstiles.[LNB]'We are all moving ahead in the same direction and there's plenty to look forward to.'[LNB]Much of the groundwork for deals to sign strikers Ji Dong-won and David Ngog has been completed, while free transfer moves for Keiren Westwood and Sebastian Larsson are at an advanced stage.[LNB]Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson has indicated his willingness to consider a switch to Wearside, although team-mates Wes Brown and John O'Shea seem less enamoured after the Red Devils accepted a joint bid totalling in excess of ?12million.[LNB]Sunderland have also registered their interest in Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner while Bruce is a long-term admirer of Charles N'Zogbia, although Wigan's valuation, which is understood to top ?10m, has not wavered.[LNB]  Sunderland's fixtures for the 2011-12 Premier League seasonSunderland hope to make South Korean striker Ji Dong-won their first summer signingGyan is not for sale! Sunderland chief Quinn stands firm over Ghana strikerAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion [LNB]  Explore more:People: Craig Gardner, Darren Bent, Steve Bruce, John O'Shea, David Ngog, Sebastian Larsson, Wes Brown, Niall Quinn Places: Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool

Source: Daily_Mail