Sunderland have made a bid to sign England goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City.

Former Shrewsbury Town ace Hart spent last season on loan at Birmingham and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is looking for a temporary replacement for the injured Craig Gordon.

“We’ve asked the question of City and we now just have to wait and see what they say,” Bruce said.

“But the timetable is not up to us on when we get an answer, it’s up to them.

“With these new 25-man squad rules, clubs don’t have to name their confirmed squads until the end of August, so if they wanted to, City could delay any decisions on their squad until then.”

Gordon is currently sidelined with a fractured wrist, with deputy Marton Fulop set to join former Sunderland boss Roy Keane at Ipswich.

Hart is vying for the No 1 jersey at City with Republic of Ireland international Shay Given.

During pre-season, boss Roberto Mancini has been sharing the keeping duties out between the two.

Last night Hart started the game against Borussia Dortmund and did his chances no harm with a fine penalty save.

Given replaced him at half-time with the score at 1-1 and City eventually lost 3-1.

But Hart is desperate to become first choice at Eastlands with the chance of establishing himself as England’s No 1 following the World Cup debacle.

If he is left on the bench, he has said he could be forced to seek a loan switch to get first team football.