Keane steps up chase for Nugent

Sunderland will step up their pursuit of Preston striker David Nugent following England's dramatic exit from the European U-21 Championships.

The Black Cats were told when they made their initial approach to North End that the 22-year-old would make a decision on his future after the tournament.

Nugent and his team-mates flew home from Holland today after their agonising penalty shoot-out defeat by the host nation last night denied them a place in Saturday's final.

That was the signal for Roy Keane and his counterparts who have watched Nugent's progress at Deepdale to launch the race for his signature.

Chairman Niall Quinn reluctantly admitted his club's interest in the player last week, saying: "We were told - and rightly so, as it turns out - that he is off out at a very important tournament for his country and when that tournament is over, Preston have asked us to get back in touch with them.

"That is as far as we had it. We know as well there are a few other clubs involved."

West Ham are also thought to be have set their sights on Nugent after failing to lure Darren Bent to Upton Park, although Everton have long since been touted as the most likely destination for the Liverpool-born frontman.

Sources close to the £6m-rated player have suggested he will opt for Wearside, however, and Quinn and manager Roy Keane will hope that proves to be the case.

Preston have all but resigned themselves to losing the man they signed from Bury in January 2005, and his sale would provide the Shakers with a windfall after they negotiated a sell-on clause which could amount to around 20% of any fee.

Sunderland, armed with a transfer kitty of around £25m, have to date made only one summer signing - Reading full-back Greg Halford - but have drawn up ambitious plans to strengthen the squad which won last season's Coca-Cola Championship title.

The fact they continue to be linked with Keane's former Manchester United team-mate Diego Forlan, who has a £15m escape clause in his contract at Valencia, is an illustration of that, although they would face stiff competition for the Uruguay international.

Quinn has admitted that the transfer market has proved tough already, and the Black Cats have been warned off Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham.

City's chief executive Tony Scholes today confirmed his club had received an approach from the Wearsiders for the 28-year-old, but revealed it was quickly rebuffed.

He told the Stoke Sentinel: "I can confirm we received an inquiry from Sunderland a few weeks ago and we made it clear that we were not interested in selling Danny Higginbotham.

"Because of that, the conversation did not proceed with any kind of offer.

"We are keen to build a team capable of promotion to the Premier League, and Danny is a big part of that."