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Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has expressed his desire to sign an all action type English centre midfielder this summer, Sky Sports reports.
The Black Cats have been one of the country’s busier sides during the transfer window with much of their focus being on the overseas market.
However, Di Canio has admitted that he is now looking at players closer to these shores by expressing his desire to see his midfield with a distinctly English heartbeat.
“The club is working on the two full-backs, but more important to me is the need to get a key player in central midfield – someone who’s English,” he said.
“He needs to be English, with a physical presence because we have analysed that is a need we have.
“English, because he needs to know English football inside out. And also a player with very good quality – because we want to play attractive football which gets results.”
Sunderland have been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone this summer, with the England international appearing to fit the criteria, though Di Canio stopped short at outrightly naming his potential targets.
“I hope it can be done. I know they are working to make it happen,” he added.
“I hope it does, because as head coach I know the process of improvement – how to link the middle of the field with the back four, or the front four.
“Everyone can have their opinion. But to me it is clear that we need a real playmaker, with a real identity, and not just a player who can fill in, in that role.”