Sunderland Target Tottenham Winger David Bentley

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed that he admires ex-England midfielder Bentley, 25, and believes that he could re-ignite the winger’s flagging career.

Bruce has bargaining chips in the like of centre-back Anton Ferdinand, who was managed by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at West Ham and striker Kenwyne Jones, who has interested Tottenham in the past.

Redknapp has said that he does not expect to do business in the January transfer window but if he was to sell unsettled Roman Pavlyuchenko, he would need a replacement and Jones fits the bill.

Bentley is so far out of the picture at White Hart Lane, a chance to get him off the wage bill would interest chairman Daniel Levy.

It is also reported that Steve Bruce wants to breathe fresh life into Sunderland who have gone backwards after a flying start and he is now willing to sell both Jones and Ferdinand if he can get new men in.

A deal for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson was virtually agreed when Gareth Southgate was in charge at the Riverside but new boss Gordon Strachan insists Johnson must stay until the summer.