Sunderland boss Steve Bruce today confirmed he has held talks with Sol Campbell but insisted the former England international is just one of his options as he bids to strengthen his defence over the summer.

Lorik Cana has pleaded with Sunderland fans to understand his decision to leave the club for Champions League football.

Sunderland skipper Lorik Cana has left the club after just one season to join Turkish side Galatasaray.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S midfielder Nani is refusing to give up on his title dream after taking the race to the final day of the season.

AS a keen student of the sport of kings, Alex Ferguson needs little reminding of the sticky fate of Devon Loch.

Sunderland 0 Manchester United 1

Wayne Rooney returned from injury as Manchester United attempted to keep their fading Barclays Premier League title hopes alive at Sunderland.

Sunderland captain Lorik Cana could return for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to struggling Hull.

Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole is a major doubt for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Burnley.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has a series of injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Ham.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was moved back to a more orthodox central midfield role to accommodate the introduction of forward Ryan Babel for the visit of Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League.

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill has put his players on alert to stop Sunderland’s in-form striker Darren Bent in tonight’s Premier League encounter at Villa Park.

Sunderland skipper Lorik Cana returns from suspension for tomorrow night’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham.

Sunderland 1 Manchester City 1

Sunderland will be without suspended skipper Lorik Cana for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City.

DARREN BENT chose the perfect moment to score his first hat-trick for Sunderland, with owner Ellis Short on Wearside to check on his investment.

Sunderland 4 Bolton 0

Albania 1 Northern Ireland 0

Sunderland defender George McCartney is hoping to banish his domestic blues and help Northern Ireland achieve a rare victory on foreign soil.

Arsenal 2 Sunderland 0

CARLO ANCELOTTI has a dream – and it could turn out to be a nightmare for everyone else in the Premier League.

Chelsea 7 Sunderland 2

Sunderland today found themselves at the centre of a flurry of transfer speculation as manager Steve Bruce and chairman Niall Quinn worked on their targets.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole has once again missed out on a first home start since October as Sunderland entertain Everton this afternoon.

Sunderland will be without suspended central defender Michael Turner for the St Stephen's Day Day clash with Everton.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce must cope without key defender Michael Turner until the middle of January after his red card appeal was rejected.

Sunderland defender Michael Turner will undergo a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Manchester City.

ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill refused to talk up his side’s chances of splitting up the Barclays Premier League’s big four after victory at Sunderland last night.

Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 2

Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is facing a fresh selection headache after suffering a double suspension blow.

Fulham 1 Sunderland 0

SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn believes his club now have respect from the likes of Cesc Fabregas following their start to the season under Steve Bruce.

Sunderland 1 Arsenal 0

Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is set to begin an extended run in the Sunderland side as Arsenal visit in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce faces a major selection headache ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Tottenham.

Sunderland 2 West Ham 2

BRAD GUZAN emerged as the Aston Villa hero as Martin O’Neill’s men secured their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Sunderland’s expense last night.

Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 0 (AET, Villa win 3-1 on penalties)

IF Sunderland were growing giddy at their sprightly start to the new season, this was the most brutal of reality checks.

Birmingham 2 Sunderland 1

WHILE Alex Ferguson produced his customary criticism of a referee to deflect attention away from a poor performance against Sunderland, Rafael Benitez did not need to resort to similar mind games. A red beach ball did the job for him.

Sunderland 1 Liverpool 0