Sunderland have ended their interest in Zenit St Petersburg defender Nicolas Lombaerts.

Press Association Sport reports sources close to the club have indicated that their interest in Lombaerts has been shelved because of an issue picked up by medics.

Rumours that the 30-year-old Belgium international had failed a medical began to circulate on Tuesday evening.

It is understood that a proposed £5million transfer has now been put on hold.