Right-back Phil Bardsley is this week's Sunderland player linked with a move to the Blues by one of the Sunday tabloids.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is said to be willing to allow Bardsley to leave the Stadium of Light and is claimed to be considering offers from Town and West Brom. The player himself is said to favour a move to Portman Road and a reunion with Roy Keane.

The Blues boss took the Salford-born defender from Manchester United to Sunderland for £2 million in January 2008.

Bardsley came through the youth system at Old Trafford having joined the club as an eight-year-old. While with the Red Devils, for whom he made 10 starts and eight sub appearances without scoring, 5ft 11in tall Bardsley spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Aston Villa and Sheffield United.

The 24-year-old, who qualifies to play international football for England, Scotland or either Irish side, is contracted to Sunderland until 2011 and is said to be valued at £1 million.

A right-back doesn't appear to be top of Roy Keane's list of summer additions with David Wright having been one of the Blues' most consistent performers during 2008/09, while Jaime Peters impressed in the former Wigan and Crewe man's absence at the end of the season and Alex Bruce has also filled in on a number of occasions.

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