ROY Keane is looking to supplement his midfield with a loan signing, while talks with striker Daryl Murphy are still being held, according to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

Derek Davis

ROY Keane is looking to supplement his midfield with a loan signing, while talks with striker Daryl Murphy are still being held, according to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

With Jaime Peters struggling in the short term with an ankle injury, David Norris out until January, and Luciano Civelli also expected to be back around the same time, Keane is looking at a short term solution to the problem.

Keane said: “I'm looking at loan options or maybe bringing in a player but we won't be spending millions.”

The Blues boss is staying tight-lipped about his targets, with the names of Bohemians Gary Deegan and Dundee United's Mrgaro Gomis still being bandied.

He said: “There is one or two I have in mind. There are players out there I admire, Gerrard and Lampard, but we are not in a position to get them just now.

“As much as we are homing in one or two players you have to be open minded. Some managers get back to you some don't so fingers crossed some will get back to us.

“A deal we thought was dead might all of a sudden happen. We all have to be patient which can be difficult.

“I'm comfortable with the squad we have for the next couple of weeks or so but in terms of a season in the Championship we are short there is no getting away from it.”

Bruce said: "That one's ongoing as I understand but we'll just have to see if the talks come to anything."

A fee of around �1.5m has already been agreed with the Black cats and Murphy has been down to Portman Road for a medical but decided to try for a Premier League club, with Hull City offering him something but that never worked out.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk