Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is ready to give young Ryan Noble his chance.

Coventry City and Derby County are among five second-tier clubs to have enquired about the 20-year-old striker, but both have been told he is not available with Bruce considering whether to hand him an opportunity in Saturday's crunch clash with Wigan Athletic, says The Journal.

Bruce said: "He was a (phenomenon) when I walked in the door. He had scored 40-odd goals in the youth team and he is one to watch, but he picked up a horrible back injury and that was his first 90 minutes in a year so we have an outstanding player there - but we hope he can stay injury free."