Round-Up: Bidding Resumes For Bridcutt And Fletch To Fight

Ah January. What would we do without you and your intensely bonkers ways?

According to reports (Sky Sports), Sunderland are set to resume their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt this week. The former-Chelsea youngster had a transfer request turned down last week, but that was never likely to put off Gus Poyet for too long.

In addition to Bridcutt signalling his intent to leave, the south coast club have already signed his heir-apparent, Rohan Ince, to a new contract, so it really does look like a mere matter of time before some kind of deal is struck and Poyet gets his pet-project back.

Meanwhile, the Mirror are reporting that Steven Fletcher is happy at Sunderland and is resolved to stay at the club this month, despite being linked with a plethora of clubs.

Hull's apparently successful pursuits of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long almost certainly rule them out of the running, but Celtic, Everton, Spurs, Crystal Palace and Queen's Park Rangers have all been credited with an interest in the striker.

It has been a slightly odd one to follow in many ways. Poyet has publicly spoken of his importance to the side, whilst refusing to rule out selling him, and after scoring away at Cardiff recently Fletcher stated his desire to 'show how much he cares about the club'. Easy words, but considering he has strong family ties with Sunderland, there is perhaps more substance to it than as is usually the case.

Fletcher has seemed to struggle on the pitch of late, however. He hasn't replicated his early Sunderland form, though how much of that is rooted in missing the whole summer with injury or taking a little more time than the rest in adapting to Poyet's new philosophy is anyone's guess.

You never quite know what is going to happen in this crazy month, but I'd personally be wary of writing Fletcher off too quickly. There is still, quite obviously, a very good quality footballer in there.