While Steve Bruce awaits Man City's go ahead to begin talks with Stephen Ireland, it has been reported that the Sunderland boss is ready to offer the midfielder the captain's arm band as part of the deal to bring him to Sunderland.
Sunderland are rumoured to have put 10 million on the table for the Irishman's services which meets City's asking price.
With city boss Roberto Mancini's signing of Yaya Toure and David Silva, Ireland seems to have lost his first team place.