Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio wants to sign an English midfield general.
Tottenham pair Scott Parker and Tom Huddlestone have been linked with Sunderland this summer.
Di Canio told the Shields Gazette: "The club is working on the two full-backs, but more important to me is the need to get a key player in central midfield - someone who's English.
"He needs to be English, with a physical presence because we have analysed that is a need we have.
"English, because he needs to know English football inside out. And also a player with very good quality - because we want to play attractive football which gets results."
