Ferdinand cost Sunderland around �8m in 2008

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce says no team have made an approach for defender Anton Ferdinand, despite reported interest from Palermo.

Ferdinand, 25, has been left off the club's squad numbers list and is yet to make an appearance this season.

"We've had no paperwork at all. It might be agents drumming up the story," Bruce told BBC Newcastle.

"We're hearing it's on and we're going to get a letter in writing, but it's never been produced. It's frustrating."

Bruce added: "At this moment he's back in training now and we'll get on with it."

606: DEBATE Should Sunderland sell Ferdinand?

Ferdinand has been out of favour at Sunderland following the return from pre-season, although a hamstring injury picked up in a friendly against Leicester City has forced him out of the first-team reckoning.

Elsewhere, Sunderland's defensive cover has been stretched by an injury to on-loan Ghana captain John Mensah ahead of Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

"Mensah's picked up a hamstring strain, so he's a doubt," Bruce said.

The defender arrived for a second stint at Sunderland earlier this month, following a successful season-long stay on Wearside from French Ligue 1 side Lyon last term.

Meanwhile, Bruce has drafted in World Cup final referee Howard Webb in a attempt to improve his team's discipline.

Sunderland, who had midfielder Lee Cattermole sent off at the weekend, have collected more than 90 cautions during Bruce's time at the helm, and the manager turned to Webb after deciding enough was enough.

"We have had 10 red cards now since I have been here in a year," said Bruce.

"If my maths are right, that adds up to every four games we are having somebody sent off, which is ludicrous and we shoot ourselves in the foot with it.

"It's hard enough to win a Premier League game, let alone with all these silly and stupid and avoidable red cards we are picking up.

"So we have had Howard Webb here today giving a talk to the players. We have spoken about it repeatedly and we must improve on it, because it is hard enough playing a Premier League game, let alone trying to do it with 10 men.

"When you get somebody of Howard's calibre coming up and giving his time, the one thing the players will do is listen.

"They will listen to it and hopefully take a little bit of advice and learn from it."

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