Michael Dawson is keen to leave Tottenham for Sunderland, it has been revealed.

The Mirror says Dawson is on course to join Steve Bruce at Sunderland in January - thanks to an anonymous prankster in the Tottenham dressing room.

Dawson is understood to have received a text message from a Spurs team-mate claiming Bruce is a great admirer and that the Black Cats boss is desperate to have him at the Stadium of Light.

However, enquiries made on behalf of Dawson revealed Bruce had NOT been involved in sending the message.

He was, however, interested in signing Dawson to shore up his defence - and still is.