Sunderland have dismissed rumours linking them with a move for Alan Hutton, as well as Anton Ferdinand moving the other way.

The move was reported just before the transfer window slammed shut, but failed to materialise. However, some reports had suggested the move could be back on the cards.

Steve Bruce said, “It has obviously come from the summer when Harry came on deadline day to say he had a problem at centre-back and would I let Ferdinand go on loan?

“The simple answer was, ‘no I am not interested in anything like that at all, no’.

“Whether that is still in Harry’s mindset, I do not know, but Ferdinand certainly won’t be going anywhere on loan, that’s for sure.

“Where this Hutton thing has cme from, I don’t know.”