Sunderland boss Steve Bruce insists Jack Colback is part of his long-term plans.

Colback has been mentioned as part of a swap for Ipswich Town star Connor Wickham.

But Bruce told safc.com: "I think we've got the nucleus of a very good squad. Jack Colback and Martyn Waghorn will be coming back and we've already seen the impact Jordan Henderson and David Meyler have had.

"We'll see what happens. We'll always try to improve if we possibly can. One thing we can't do is stand still."