SUNDERLAND goalkeeping target John Ruddy is set to rule out a move to the Stadium of Light by signing for the club’s Championship rivals, Birmingham City.

While Alex Neil is set to stick with Anthony Patterson as his number one goalkeeper for next season, the Black Cats head coach is keen to recruit an experienced shot-stopper to provide competition for the homegrown 22-year-old.

Ruddy would have fitted the bill perfectly, with the former England international looking for a new club after he was released from Wolves at the end of last season.

The Black Cats were heavily linked with a move for the 35-year-old earlier in the summer, and talks are understood to have taken place.

However, Ruddy has also held discussions with at least two other potential employers and it appears as though Birmingham have won the battle to secure his services.

Ruddy is poised to complete a medical and agree personal terms with the Blues, and will compete with Neil Etheridge for the starting spot at St Andrew’s.

With Lee Burge having left to join Northampton Town and Thorben Hoffmann having returned to Germany following the end of his loan spell, Sunderland do not have a senior goalkeeper ready to act as their number two.

Last season’s Under-23s goalkeeper, Jacob Carney, was an unused substitute in yesterday’s friendly defeat to Roma in Portugal, and is expected to remain as part of the squad for Saturday’s pre-season game at Dundee United.