goals, and has also won 17 senior caps for Wales.

• Gus Poyet has a major rebuilding job on his hands this summer - but the Sunderland boss will have to work to a strict budget.

  Money is available to strengthen the squad, however owner Ellis Short will not write a blank cheque.

  And that means Poyet will have to scour the loan market and the Bosman bargain bin, as well as spending money to prise his transfer targets away from their current clubs.

  Poyet is keen to bring in players with Premier League experience and, with top flight clubs submitting their retained lists last week, here is our guide to the pick of the Bosman deals that could appeal to the Sunderland boss.

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  The Bosman Bargains
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  Steve Sidwell (31)

  With Jack Colback’s future still up in the air, Poyet may look to add another midfielder and Sidwell - who has been released by Fulham - would fit the bill. He started his career at Arsenal, before moving on to Reading, Chelsea, Aston Villa and then the Cottagers. His three-and-a-half year spell with the Cottagers came to an end following Fulham’s relegation to the Championship. In all, he has made more than 180 Premier League appearances and scored 21 goals.

  Julian Speroni (35)

  Sunderland are in need of cover for first-choice keeper Vito Mannone, with former Crystal Palace stopper Julian Speroni one of the names that has been linked with a move to Wearside. The Argentine spent a decade at Palace and played in all-but one of the Eagles’ Premier League games last term, keeping 12 clean sheets. Has also attracted interest from West Brom

  John Heitinga (30)

  The departures of Phil Bardsley and Carlos Cuellar - and the failure of Valentin Roberge and Modibo Diakite to make the grade - have left Sunderland short of defenders, but experienced Dutch international Heitinga would give them another option. Heitinga spent four-and-a-half years at Everton before joining Fulham in January, but his short-term deal is now at an end and he is leaving the relegated Londoners. Has made almost 130 Premier League appearances and scored three goals

  Joleon Lescott (31)

  Ex-England defender Lescott would be another decent contender to add some strength to Sunderland’s diminished back line. Lescott made his name with Wolves before moving to Everton and then Man City, but he is leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer. The centre-back has more than 200 Premier League games to his name which means he certainly has the kind of experienced Poyet is looking for, but his wages could be a problem with Sunderland unable to come anywhere near matching his mega-bucks Man City salary

  Apostolos Vellios (22)

  Sunderland suffered from a lack of firepower last season and, while Connor Wickham eventually came good, Poyet will be keen to bring in at least one striker Nike Elastico Finale II this Nike CTR360 Maestri III FG summer. Greek U21 international Vellios joined Everton in January 2011 but made 20 of his 22 Premier League appearances as a substitute, scoring three goals along the way. He fell out of favour with David Moyes the season before last and was not used at all by Moyes’ successor Roberto Martinez, spending a spell on loan at Blackpool last season, before being released

  Jack Collison (25)

  Spent Nike Mercurial Victory IV IC seven years at West Ham before being released this summer. Made more than 70 top flight appearances in midfield for the Hammers, scoring seven goals, and has also won 17 senior caps for Wales. Did not play for West Ham last season, and was sent out on loan to Bournemouth and Wigan Athletic
  

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  Posted 2014-05-28
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