Sunderland lead midfield race

Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi has been omitted from Rovers' pre-season tour to Austria as a switch to Sunderland looms closer.

The France ace is thought to be keen on a move away from Ewood Park following their drop into the championship and there are a queue of clubs lining up to take him.
Martin O'Neill at Sunderland is said to be leading the chase having only signed former Villa centre-back Carlos Cuellar on a Bosman free transfer so far this summer.
The Black Cats are not alone though as Spurs, Aston Villa, Stoke City and newly-promoted West Ham are all interested in the 23-year-old midfielder, but Sunderland lead the race.