Source: Northern_Echo
Sunderland plan for more transfer activity
STEVE BRUCE wants to make the most of the remaining 12 days of the transfer window by giving the go-ahead for further departures that would pave the way for more new faces at Sunderland.[LNB] Matt Kilgallon, whose proposed three-month loan deal to Middlesbrough broke down this week, and Anton Ferdinand remain the most likely candidates to depart.[LNB] Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers have expressed a willingness to take Kilgallon in the hope of strengthening their defensive options.[LNB] And it is Celtic, who have held a long-term interest in the centre-back since Tony Mowbray's days in charge, that are the favourites to broker a deal, with manager Neil Lennon still desperate for new defenders.[LNB] Kilgallon is thought to be keen on testing himself in the Scottish Premier League, having struggled to adapt to life on Wearside since his switch from Sheffield United in January.[LNB] He only made six league starts under Bruce, who was willing to allow the 26-yearold to head out on loan to Middlesbrough last week, only for his back injury to prevent a deal.[LNB] Kilgallon is unlikely to be replaced before the transfer window shuts, but Sunderland are keen to reduce the size of the squad and if a deal could be struck for Ferdinand as well then a new full-back will be targeted.[LNB] Wigan's wantaway Frenchman Charles N'Zogbia is still a strong contender and wants to move to Sunderland, but Bruce would prefer to move a couple more players on first.[LNB] Ferdinand, told earlier this week that Palermo had dropped their interest in him, could still move to Italy, with Fiorentina known to have made contact with his representatives.[LNB] Northern Ireland striker David Healy is also still looking for a club, despite figuring for the reserves in the win over Wolves on Tuesday, and Phil Bardsley would be available at the right price.[LNB] Bruce's main target between now and the end of the month is to attract a new striker to Wearside, with Ghana's Asamoah Gyan still the priority.[LNB] But with Rennes still looking for around £12m for the World Cup hero, Sunderland would prefer to bring down the price to free up funds to strengthen other areas.[LNB] N'Zogbia is also high in Bruce's sights and, despite the former Newcastle player's admission that he wanted to leave the Latics, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is happy to keep him involved.[LNB] He has been back in training this week and back to himself,[LNB] said Martinez. When he does that, he remains a special player for us.[LNB] There has always been a good communication between Charles and myself and we have maintained a respectful manner. He didn't do anything other than express his feelings only the timing was wrong.[LNB] It is highly unlikely that Sunderland will have another new face in their squad for Saturday's trip to West Brom, when they will be looking to overcome the disappointment of letting a two-goal lead slip against Birmingham.[LNB] It was a controversial opener for the Black Cats, who were infuriated by the performance of referee Anthony Taylor after he sent off Lee Cattermole for two yellow cards just before halftime.[LNB] It was the tenth red card of Bruce's time in charge, but French midfielder Steed Malbranque insists that Sunderland do not deserve the tag of the Premier league's naughty boys.[LNB] We are not a dirty team, even if the statistics last season showed we had the worst record because of our sendings off, he said. Sometimes we were unlucky with decisions.[LNB] But we need to be a bit more intelligent. We need to learn that after a yellow card, you can't risk a yellow card five minutes later.[LNB] Sunderland picked up 82 yellow cards and nine red cards in the top-flight last season, which earned them the unwanted record of the most dismissals in a Premier league season.[LNB]
