Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has played down his chances of signing Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan.
Bruce confirmed earlier this week that he had made an approach for Hart, who enjoyed a successful temporary switch to Birmingham last season.
However, the Black Cats boss insists reports of an immediate switch are wrong and he will be content to start the season with inexperienced Simon Mignolet between the sticks.
Bruce told Sky Sports News: “There is nothing immediate and I think the media have blown it out of proportion.
“I’ve looked at the situation and I have asked the question if Manchester City were prepared to do anything. In the meantime they are busy getting on with their own preparations.
“I’ve seen all these reports and if there was a possibility that might be the case then I would look at it on a short-term basis.
“I’ve been delighted with Simon Mignolet but if something happened to him then we would be in desperation land because of the injury to Craig Gordon, who proved at the end of last season he is up with the best keepers in the Premier League.
“We’re left in a horrible situation with the injury (broken arm) he has picked up. I don’t really want to do anything at all but we might have to. We’ll look and see where we are next week and hopefully there will be no more injuries to our goalkeepers.”