Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has dismissed speculation continuing to link striker Kenwyne Jones with a move away from the Stadium of Light.

The 25-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international has been linked with the likes of Birmingham City and Stoke City, while the latest rumours suggested a loan swap involving Liverpool's Ryan Babel.

However, Bruce insists that he is not interested in any such deal, telling the Sunderland Echo:"The one thing I am trying to do is build the squad and build the squad to improve.

"The last thing I want to be doing is trade or anything like that."

Jones joined the Black Cats in the summer of 2007 for £6million form Southampton and has scored 25 times in 85 appearances in all competitions for his current club.

This season he has netted six times, but has only scored once in his last ten games - that coming in the 4-3 defeat at Manchester City just before Christmas.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email