Sunderland and Newcastle United are battling for Birmingham City midfielder Craig Gardner.
The Sunday Sun says Sunderland will fight it out with Newcastle in the race to sign relegated Birmingham's Gardner.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce wants to bring in a goalscoring midfielder and Gardner - who was the Blues' 10-goal top-scorer last season - fits the bill.
Sunderland have already been in touch with Birmingham, but Bruce knows he is not the only one chasing the 24-year-old as Newcastle have also expressed an interest.
