Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is set to make a fresh approach for Honduras left-back Maynor Figueroa, after previously failing to land the Wigan defender, whom he used to manage at the DW Stadium.

The 26-year-old is set for several weeks on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments early on in the Latics' 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday, but former Wigan boss Bruce will persevere with his interest regardless.

Figueroa has started all ten of Wigan's Premier League games so far this term, with Roberto Martinez's side looking good in tenth place, while he has made 65 appearances for Reinaldo Rueda's Honduras national team.

The roving full-back was a fixture in Bruce's Latics line-up during the former Manchester United captain's time at the club, and the Black Cats boss is thought to have had a £5million bid for his man turned down in the summer.

Bruce originally signed Figueroa from Honduran club Olimpia in 2008, and the attack-minded defender has continued to flourish under Martinez, while he will also feature in next summer's World Cup with his country.

The Daily Mirror claim Bruce will try his luck with a £4million bid in the New Year, aware of the fact that Figueroa would favour a move to the Stadium of Light, while Martinez is already beginning his search for a replacement, with Sporting Gijon full-back Roberto Canella on his radar.