Source: Northern_Echo
Wigan winger in demand
SUNDERLAND will make a renewed attempt to sign longterm target Charles N'Zogbia this summer and are not concerned by Newcastle United's surprise pursuit of the Wigan winger.[LNB] Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has been trailing N'Zogbia ever since he swapped Wigan's DW Stadium for the Stadium of Light.[LNB] He has sanctioned a number of approaches to Wigan officials, but has never been granted permission to speak to the 24-year-old Frenchman.[LNB] Sunderland's interest was once again rebuffed last month, with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan quoting a £10m price tag for N'Zogbia, who is due to enter the final year of his current contract this summer.[LNB] With a large proportion of the £24m received from the sale of Darren Bent likely to be available for reinvestment in the close season, Bruce had always intended to make a concerted push for one of the most highly-rated left-footed midfielders in the Premier League once the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.[LNB] That remains the case, although the situation became considerably more complicated when Newcastle made a surprise bid for N'Zogbia in the final hour of Monday's transfer window.[LNB] The Magpies lodged a formal £10m offer moments before the window closed, but Whelan turned it down claiming it would be impossible to replace the winger at such a late stage in proceedings.[LNB] Newcastle boss Alan Pardew must now decide whether to make a similar offer in the summer, but even if he does, Bruce remains quietly confident of luring N'Zogbia to Wearside.[LNB] The pair built a close relationship during Bruce's time with the Latics, and N'Zogbia is well aware of his former manager's repeated attempts to re-sign him during the past 18 months.[LNB] Bruce has spent the last 24 hours pondering his side for tomorrow's game at Stoke, and will make a final decision over Sulley Muntari's possible participation later today.[LNB] With Lee Cattermole and David Meyler both unavailable because of injury, Sunderland struggled to prevent Chelsea's attacking midfielders from dominating the game on Tuesday.[LNB] Muntari's presence would help shore up the Black Cats defences at the Britannia Stadium, but the Ghana international has made just one substitute appearance since December 7 for his former club, Inter Milan.[LNB] As a result, Bruce may decide he needs more training under his belt before he is thrown into the cut and thrust of a Premier League game.[LNB] Jordan Cook, an 88thminute substitute against Chelsea on Tuesday, will not be involved tomorrow after suffering a hamstring injury in Wednesday night's 5-1 reserves win over Scunthorpe.[LNB] Jordan Laidler bagged a brace for the Black Cats' second string, with Matthew Fletcher, Craig Lynch and Billy Knott also finding the target.[LNB] Tickets for Sunderland's home game with Tottenham on February 12 are on general sale, priced from £23 for adults and £10 for concessions.[LNB]
