MICHAEL Bridges could be set to make an emotional return to his former club, Sunderland, less than three months after signing for Wanderers and without kicking a ball at senior level.

Wanderers have confirmed they are in talks with Sunderland, who are keen to take over the remainder of the the 26-year-old striker's contract.

It is believed that Bridges, who joined Wanderers on a free transfer from Leeds in July, is resigned to not being part of Sam Allardyce's Premiership plans.

He has not figured in the squad for any of the six league games to date and, although there was some speculation he may be involved in Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie at Yeovil, reports in the North-east suggest his next public appearance could be for Sunderland in the Coca-Cola Championship on Friday night, ironically at Leeds.

Bridges had been touted for a move at the weekend when it was suggested Sam Allardyce was prepared to loan him out to gain the match practice he has been denied with the Wanderers' attack making such an impressive start to the season.

Allardyce admitted he was taking a gamble when he signed Bridges early in the summer. A catalogue of injuries had blighted the career of the North Shields-born front man, of whom big things were expected when he joined Leeds from Sunderland for £5m in 1999.

Wanderers have since added Les Ferdinand and El-Hadji Diouf to their attacking ranks and with Henrik Pedersen, Kevin Davies and Kevin Nolan all getting among the goals, Bridges has been restricted to just reserve team outings.