Bruce to assess transfer targets

West Ham’s relegation could pave the way for a flurry of summer bids from Premier League clubs

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says he will use Sunday’s trip to already relegated West Ham United as a chance to assess potential transfer targets.

Stars such as Scott Parker, Robert Green and Carlton Cole have all been linked with an Upton Park exit, rather than play in the Championship.

“We’ll be watching at the weekend,” Bruce told BBC Newcastle.

“There’ll be some rich pickings, and we’ll also look at the two other clubs who unfortunately will be relegated.”

Bruce added: “In my experience, and this club has been there too, you struggle to keep hold of your best players because you have to make cuts, and you haven’t got the budget and revenue streams.”

“I think West Ham, of the bottom teams, have arguably got as good a strength of squad as anybody,” Bruce added.

“Look at the strikers for instance, with Robbie Keane, Demba Ba, Frederic Piquionne, Victor Obinna, the list goes on.

“Then you’ve got an England midfielder Parker, England centre-half Matthew Upson and England goalkeeper Green so it shows you how difficult the league is.

“I thought that West Ham would get out of it at Christmas time, but they haven’t and it shows you how difficult it is.”