Cardiff and Reading enter the race for Leeds target

Cardiff City and Reading have reportedly entered the race to sign Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt.

Rivals Leeds United look destined to snap up the Black Cats ace on loan last week, however the deal failed to materialise for Whites boss Steve Evans.

Midfielder Liam Bridcutt has failed to make a first-team appearance for Sunderland so far this season.

Despite Leeds still being in the running, it is understood that fellow Championship outfits Cardiff and Reading are now interested in thrashing out a three-month loan deal for the 26-year-old.

Bridcutt, who arrived at the Stadium of Light from Brighton last January for a reported fee of £3m, has failed to feature for the Premier League strugglers in any competition so far this season.

With new Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce at the helm; the defensive midfielder’s first-team prospects look very restricted at the Stadium of Light this term, drawing attention from an array of Championship clubs.