Sunderland boss Steve Bruce won't pressure Bolo Zenden over signing a new contract.

The Dutch midfielder has been offered a new 12-month deal this week.

Bruce said: "Bolo, I will leave it up to him. I want him to stay. The way he has helped the young players - and we have got some exceptionally good young players, including the two on loan, [Jack] Colback and [Martyn] Waghorn, who are getting rave reviews from their respective clubs [Ipswich and Leicester], so that bodes well.

"But Bolo has been particularly helpful in that respect. He has been the ultimate pro, and you can see why he has played for Marseille and Barcelona and Chelsea and Liverpool.

"He is an exceptional talent. I have used him as an impact player and typical Bolo, he wants to play more, which I can understand.

"I will just leave the whole situation up to Bolo. He knows there's an offer there for him: if he wants it, fine; if he wants to try elsewhere, then I can understand that as well."