Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland in pole position to sign Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa
Target: Figueroa is wanted by his former boss[LNB]Sunderland are favourites to land Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa during the January transfer window. [LNB]Manager Steve Bruce has made no secret of his admiration for the Honduras international he signed for Wigan. [LNB]But amid reported interest from Tottenham, Sportsmail understands the Black Cats are in pole position to land the full-back, who scored a spectacular goal from his own half for the Latics at Stoke last weekend. [LNB]Bruce spent heavily during the summer but also moved on 14 players and his squad has been hit in recent weeks by injuries and suspensions. [LNB]However, while owner Ellis Short and chairman Niall Quinn will back him once again, Bruce insists he will not spend simply for spending's sake. [LNB]Asked if his focus had been altered by recent events, Bruce said: 'No, I haven't changed. My philosophy always is, if there is something that can improve us... [LNB]'But I won't just go and do something just because we have had a couple of bad results. I have got to look longer term than that. [LNB]'If the players are available in January, then we are in a position to act. But in my experience it is very, very difficult in January to try to prise anyone away from a club for obvious reasons.'[LNB] ALL THE WEEKEND BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS Wigan boss Martinez determined to keep hold of Figueroa and ScharnerStoke 2 Wigan 2: Keeper Sorensen saves Stoke after Figueroa stunnerAfter Maynor Figueroa's goal lit up the Premier League Sportsmail remembers 10 great goals from the top flight SUNDERLAND FC