Bruce in for Czech ace

Sunderland are in the hunt to sign Czech Republic international Radoslav Kovac from Spartak Moscow after West Ham pulled out.

The 29-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Upton Park but the Hammers have decided against paying the £4million that would make the move permanent.

That has left the door open for Sunderland to swoop and although German side Hanover are keen, Kovac has said he would prefer to stay in the Premiership.

"In principle, I wouldn't object to going to Hanover, but I would prefer to stay in England where there is also interest from another Premier League club," he said.

"I'm on holiday in Prague and my contract with Spartak requires me to return to Moscow at the end of June but perhaps by that time my future will be more certain."