Sunderland confirms Ireland interest

Sunderland assistant manager Eric Black has confirmed the club’s interest in Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland.

Ireland has been linked with a move away from City after failing to be a regular under Roberto Mancini at Eastlands.

Ireland is set to earn £80,000-a-week from his new deal with City, something the Black Cats could struggle to afford.

“It would be wonderful to bring a player like Stephen Ireland to the club,” explained Black.

“I think everybody is aware of how good a player he is, but we have a certain level of salary, which his probably exceeds.”

[Source: The Sun]