SoccerNews.com

Sunderland are on the verge of appointing Steve Bruce as their new manager after agreeing a compensation package for the Wigan boss.

Bruce is set to replace Ricky Sbragia, who resigned on the final day of the season after narrowly keeping the club in the Premier League.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, who paid Birmingham three million pounds to release Bruce from his St Andrews contract in November 2007, has insisted Sunderland had to come up with a similiar remuneration.

That financial package has now been agreed and Sunderland officials are believed to be in Portugal – where Bruce is on holiday – to thrash out personal details after being given permission to speak to the former Manchester United defender.

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