Black Cats target Latics ace

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is ready to make a move for Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole but the Latics are hesitant to sell.

Cattermole, who starred for England under 21s as they reached the European under 21 Championship final, only moved to Wigan last summer in a £3.5million deal from Middlesbrough but Bruce is ready to test the Latics resolve by offering up to twice as much for the youngster.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has insisted the player is not for sale, with reports suggesting Sunderland are ready to pay around £6million for the combative midfielder.

However, because of Wigan's reluctance to let one of their star performers leave Bruce may now have to hold talks with chairman Niall Quinn regarding how much they are prepared to pay for Cattermole, who is under contract at the DW Stadium until the summer of 2011.