SUNDERLAND head coach Gus Poyet is considering a move for Cardiff City midfielder Jordon Mutch should Jack Colback complete a move away from the Stadium of Light.

Poyet has already signed right-back Billy Jones and midfielder Jordi Gomez as natural replacements for Phil Bardsley and Craig Gardner this week, and with Ki Sung-Yeung having returned to parent club Swansea and Colback’s impending departure, the Uruguayan is in the market for more reinforcements.

Mutch, who has 12 months left on his current deal at the Cardiff City Stadium, was a bright spark for the Bluebirds last season despite suffering relegation to the Championship, and although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to keep the England Under-21 international, source in Wales suggest the Black Cats could offer him an immediate return to the Premier League.

Poyet is more or less resigned to losing Colback, who becomes a free agent at the beginning of July. The Black Cats presented the versatile midfielder with renewed terms after Roberto de Fanti’s initial derisory contract offer last year, but it is understood West Ham are close to agreeing a deal after making the 24-year-old a lucrative offer in the region of £50,000 per week.

Poyet has wasted no time in tying up deals for Jones and Gomez, who were also available on Bosmans. Gomez, who spent five years at Wigan, signed a three year contract at the Stadium of Light, admitted he is delighted to be back in the top flight.

“I’m really happy to be here and to be joining such a big club like Sunderland. I’m ready for this new challenge in my career,” the Spanish midfielder said.

“I have heard a lot of good things about the fans and how they help the team and the big support it has. I think they played a big part in the good results that the team got last season.

“I’ve played some games in the Stadium of Light and I’ve always felt the support was brilliant. I think they played a big part in the club staying up.

“I spent four years in the Premier League with Wigan and we got relegated but I’m glad to be back in the Premier League with a good manager and a massive club.”

Gomez fits Poyet’s style perfectly and the 29-year-old believes he can offer a lot to the Black Cats.

He said: “He’s a brilliant manager and he did a very good job last year. I’m very happy to be working with him because he has good ideas and I like the way he likes to play. I’m happy to have a coach like him.

“I like the way he wants his team to play and I feel my style will fit in with his ideas. I will give my best every day in training and in games and that’s all I can promise.”

Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has been linked with a move to Lazio, while Danny Graham could be offered the chance to return to Vicarage Road by Watford.

The Gateshead-born striker is also wanted by Middlesbrough, where he spent the second part of last season on loan.

Midfielder Billy Knott has agreed a two-year deal with League One side Bradford City and will join the Bantams on July 1 when his contract at Sunderland expires.

Sunderland will face League Two side Carlisle United in a pre-season friendly at Brunton Park.

Poyet’s men will travel to Cumbria on Tuesday, July 22, 7.30pm kick-off, with tickets details to be announced.