Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that Daryl Murphy and Dean Whitehead were two players the Blues failed to sign over the weekend. Town announced the collapse of the joint £5 million move on Monday but didn't confirm the identities of the players.

Bruce says Murphy is now closing in on a move to Hull City: "I gave permission for Daryl Murphy and Dean Whitehead to go and speak to Ipswich at the weekend, but that didn't quite happen.

"We have now agreed a fee for Daryl and he is now down there [Hull] as we speak, I would think doing a medical and we will see how that progresses.”

Sunderland and Stoke are reported to be in talks regarding Whitehead moving to the Britannia Stadium.

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