Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that 19-year-old central midfielder Jack Colback has joined the Blues on loan for the season. The 5ft 8in tall England U20 international is one of three Black Cats youngsters being sent out to gain experience this season.
Bruce says Colback, Martyn Waghorn, who has joined Leicester, and Jean-Yves M'voto, who is off to Southend, need first team football at this stage of their careers: "The lads have been in reserve football for 18 months and need to make that step up to the senior level.
"They are excellent young players who have big futures. This is the next step for them and I am sure they will do well for the clubs they are joining.
"From my point of view, I want to see them come back that little bit more experienced and showing the benefits, just as [young Sunderland midfielder] Jordan Henderson has this summer [after spending much of last season on loan at Coventry]."
Newcastle-born Colback, who was first reported to be on his way to the Blues yesterday, was given first team experience at Sunderland by Roy Keane last summer, but is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club he joined at 11.