Sunderland in 5million pound bid for David Wheater.

Steve Bruce looks set to seal an initial January loan deal for the Middlesbrough centre-back.

Bruce will then piece together a Ј4m move for Wheater rising with another 1m on incentives.

Sunderland are keen on landing the highly-rated star after losing faith in his own 8m defender Anton Ferdinand.

Wheater is playing currently in the Championship after Boro's relegation, and he is eager to get back to the Premier League to catch England boss Fabio Capello's eye.