Bruce turns attention to Gardner

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was on Wednesday night working to tie up a move for midfielder Craig Gardner after landing teenage striker Connor Wickham.

The Black Cats quickly put their delight at seeing off the competition to snatch the 18-year-old Ipswich frontman in an £8million swoop on Wednesday to one side to concentrate on a man they hope will be one of his team-mates next season.

Birmingham's Gardner was also on Wearside for talks with Bruce keen to tie him up as quickly as possible as he closed in on a fifth summer signing following in the wake of Ahmed Elmohamady, Wickham and Bosman free transfers Keiren Westwood and Sebastian Larsson, who will formally complete their moves on Friday.

Reds agree Henderson deal

Liverpool have finally made the breakthrough in their £20million move for Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Press Association Sport understands the deal, which would see striker David Ngog travelling in the opposite direction, has been completed subject to medicals for both players on Wednesday.

The news comes after days of frenzied speculation, with the Reds seemingly determined to get their hands on Henderson before he heads off with the England Under-21s squad for the European Championships in Denmark on Wednesday.