About time... UNWANTED Nyron Nosworthy is being pursued by a trio of Championship outfits. Sunderland defender Nosworthy is free to leave the Stadium of Light after spending the past 18 months on loan at Sheffield United. The 30-year-old is not in Steve Bruceâs plans and will be allowed to depart for a minimal fee with a year left to run on his contract with the Black Cats. Sheffield United had been prepared to make Nosworthyâs loan move permanent at the start of the season. But the arrival of former boss Micky Adams coupled with the Bladesâ relegation to League One scuppered Nosworthyâs chances of staying at Bramall Lane. Now Ipswich, Reading and Crystal Palace are ready to offer Nosworthy a chance to stay in the Championship. Ipswich have had a long-standing interest in the former Gillingham defender with former bosses Joe Royle and Roy Keane both interested in taking Nosworthy to Portman Road. But Palace would offer a return to the capital for Brixton-born Nosworthy while Reading will be hopeful of promotion again next season after being pipped in the Championship play-off this time around. Meanwhile, reports over the weekend linked Sunderland with Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner (left). The 24-year-old was Birminghamâs 10-goal top scorer this season and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is known to be keen on signing a goalscoring midfielder.
