Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed the club are keeping tabs on Ipswich starlet Connor Wickham.
Bruce an admirer of Ipswich starlet
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed the club are keeping tabs on Ipswich starlet Connor Wickham.
Wickham is regarded as one of the best young prospects in England after making the breakthrough at Portman Road last season.
The 17-year-old, who recently signed his first professional contract at Ipswich, is being tipped for a big future in the game.
Bruce is a big admirer of the teenager and he concedes Sunderland will not be the only club chasing Wickham.
"We're aware of the lad, he's a very talented boy," Bruce told the
Sunderland Echo.
"But if he became available I'm sure there would be plenty of other clubs, not just us, who would like to be kept in the picture."
Precaution
Meanwhile, John Mensah should be fit for Sunderland's trip to Hull City after being taken off as a precaution against Burnley.
The Ghana international did not re-appear after the break against Burnley at the weekend with his side leading 2-0.
However, Bruce revealed he withdrew his injury-plagued loan signing from Lyon to protect him for the remaining weeks of the season and this summer's World Cup finals and expects him to be available at the KC Stadium this Saturday.
Bruce said: "John is okay, he will be fit for next week. That was the calculated gamble, to be 2-0 up and say, 'Okay, it's job done'.
"Also, we have to look after John, first and foremost to get him through the next three games, but he has got a huge World Cup coming up.
"He will be okay for next week, hopefully - unless he falls off his bike."
