Sunderland boss Steve Bruce hopes to wrap up a deal for Wigan Athletic defender Titus Bramble.

The News of the World says the player has praised Bruce and admitted that his welcome resurrection was completely down to the Geordie boss.

And if Bruce bids for him, then he is likely to be very keen to join the revolution being put in place on Wearside. Bruce will certainly not worry that Bramble was once regarded as a figure of fun in the North-East.

Those days are now gone and Bramble has proved he can both lead a side and has all the qualities of a top Premier League star.