Bruce After City Ace

Sunderland are looking to bolster their striking options by holding talks with the Manchester City forward Benjani.

The Zimbabwean international, 32, joined City two years ago for 3.82m but its rumoured that The Black Cats could snap him up for half that price.

The former Portsmouth player has played very little since heading to Eastland but has recently showed sparks for form with brief appearances in the FA Cup, scoring one goal in the competition against Middlesborough.

But they face stiff competition from a revitalised West Ham United after have also declared interest in signing the powerful forward.

After they completed deal for Benni McCarthy, the Hammers now turn their attention after Eidur Gudjohnson decided to join Tottenham and Ruud Van Nistelrooy joined Hamburg.

If Sunderland can complete this transfer it could be seen as a massive boost and coup for Steve Bruce, which could give his frontline a more aggressive approach.

The 6ft 2in striker could be seen as perfect competition for the out of sorts Kenywne Jones and give Darren Bent the support up front that he currently lacks.

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