Sunderland Football Club are keen on Nigel Reo-Coker, claim the Daily Mail.

Steve Bruce has made Lee Cattermole, the Wigan Athletic midfielder, a top target this summer, but his former club are refusing to sell the England Under-21 international.

The Daily Mail claim the Black Cats manager is now ready to turn his attentions to Reo-Coker, who has slipped down the pecking order at Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa.

Middlesbrough have also been linked with the 25-year-old, but should he leave the Midlands club, he would naturally prefer to remain in the Premier League.

Much, though, may depend on O’Neill’s search to find a replacement for Gareth Barry, and if he fails to do so, he may opt to keep Reo-Coker in his squad for the coming season.