Stanislav Varga was night tipped to take the Premiership by storm following his move to Sunderland.

Manager Peter Reid paid only £650,000 for the 27-year-old defender, but said:"Stan has impressed me.

"He could be a player who surprises one or two people in the Premiership next season.

"I've had my eye on him for months after watching him play for Slovakia against Norway's Tore Andre Flo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."

Varga, who will cost Sunderland an extra £225,000 after he makes a number of appearances, has experience in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

He may not be the last central defender to arrive at the Stadium of Light before the start of the season, Reid confirmed yesterday.

The Sunderland manager was impressed by the performance of Cameroon international Pierre Njanka in Wednesday's friendly at Mechelen.

"I thought he had a very good game," said Reid, who is likely to employ the Strasbourg player again in tomorrow's match at Porto.

"I'll definitely have a word with his club because he was strong in the game and has looked good in training.

"I'll be keeping him with us a bit longer to take a look. These games give us the chance to check out different players."

Strasbourg are prepared to sell Njanka to free a non-European slot for their Senegalese striker Henri Camara, who is on loan at Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax.

The arrival of Varga and Reid's pursuit of Njanka means former Arsenal defender Steve Bould, now 37, faces a battle to remain a Premiership regular at Sunderland.

There is also a massive question mark over the future of Republic of Ireland international Paul Butler, who was squeezed out of the team near the end of last season.

Butler has been linked with Manchester City, while another Sunderland defender, Jody Craddock, is wanted by Ipswich and Charlton.

Striker Kevin Phillips was told last night that his knee injury won't force him to miss the start of the season.

The England international quit the club's continental tour to return to Sunderland for a scan on the problem.

"We've had the results and there's no damage," said Reid. "It's just a strain, but we've decided it's best to leave Kevin at home where he can get the best treatment.

"I just want to be safe, not sorry. It's definitely the best thing to do."

Phillips is now pencilled in for his first game of the season at Fortuna Sittard on August 8.

Meanwhile Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond yesterday pulled out of a £1.5m move for Sun derland's Nicky Summerbee just hours after deciding to let an unhappy Jamie Lawrence quit Valley Parade.

Lawrence has been granted a transfer by Richmond and boss Chris Hutchings, who were hoping to clinch an unconnected deal for fellow right winger Summerbee.

But despite being promised an answer by 5pm this afternoon, Summerbee has still to make up his mind with regard the move, forcing Richmond to call an end to the ongoing saga.

It now leaves Richmond with the double dilemma of not only trying to find a new right-sided midfielder, but also looking for the best offer with regard to letting another go.

Lawrence has seemingly become involved in a pay dispute with City, accusing the Bantams of breaking an apparent promise on a summer pay rise.

Lawrence is also bitter at being one of the lowest paid members of the City squad, claiming he earns only ''peanuts'', despite signing a new four-year contract nine months ago.

Richmond, however, has refused to sanction a further deal and has invited offers for the 30-year-old, who is likely to become a target for Sheffield Wednesday.

Owls boss Paul Jewell, who quit Bradford and joined Wednesday this summer, is a known admirer of Lawrence and is in need of a new right winger following Niclas Alexandersson's £2.5m move to Everton.

After three seasons with the Bantams, the end looks in sight for Lawrence, who has revealed he does not want to leave but feels he has been left with no choice.

''I was promised a pay rise if we stayed in the Premiership,'' said Lawrence. ''The club told me I would be rewarded, but they have not carried out their promise.

''Some players are getting three times more than I am, but they are not even regulars.

''I played in most of the games last season, but I am getting paid peanuts compared to them, and I don't agree with it."

''I played my part in helping to keep this club in the Premier League and gave everything I had, but it doesn't seem to have made any difference.

''I don't want to leave, but the club haven't been true to their word. When I asked them for a better contract they told me to wait until Christmas.

''I'm not going to stand for that. I only want what I think I deserve.''

On a day of disappointment, Richmond was also left saddened by Summerbee's failure to commit to Bradford, despite having been offered a considerably improved salary in comparison to his wage at Sunderland.

But although having had a week to mull over the move, the 28-year-old was still undecided, so Richmond is now likely to turn his attentions to Liverpool's David Thompson.

''I only hope Nicky crosses a ball quicker than he makes his mind up in the future,'' said Richmond.

''The player has had a week to come to terms with the fact Sunderland were prepared to let him go, and I believe what I am told in that he is still struggling with that.

''In some ways it is refreshing that he is making his decision for football reasons rather than purely on money, even though as a result, we are on the losing end.

''But we have to move on, and there are other targets, and Chris will be starting on those tomorrow.'