Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has told owner Ellis Short it's time to smash the club's wage ceiling.

The News of the World says believes fresh investment is needed and the club's wage structure has to be broken to bring in two big-name signings next season.

Bruce was left devastated when deals for Richard Dunne, Sylvain Distin and Peter Crouch broke down.

All three spent time with him, agreed terms, only for late offers from Aston Villa, Everton and Spurs respectively to blow his plans apart.

Sunderland's top earner is Bent on around £60,000-a-week, which is £15,000-a-week less than Villa offered Dunne after months of work to tie up the Republic of Ireland captain.