Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is reviving his interest in Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
The Sunday Sun says Bruce wants to sign a natural left-winger but missed out on his No 1 target this week when Charles N'Zogbia completed a £9.5m switch from Wigan to Aston Villa.
Bruce tried to sign Sunderland-born Johnson from Middlesbrough 18 months ago, but the 24-year-old chose a big money move to City over Wearside.
But Johnson started less than half of City's Premier League games last term and is by no means guaranteed regular first-team football at the Etihad Stadium under Roberto Mancini this season, either.