Paolo Di Canio: 'Tom Huddlestone was keen on Sunderland move'

Former Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has revealed that he had the opportunity to sign four-time England international Tom Huddlestone during his time at the Stadium of Light.

Huddlestone eventually joined Hull City in a £5m move from Tottenham Hotspur in August, but Di Canio claims that the 27-year-old was keen on a move to Wearside.

He told The Sun: "I had spoken to Huddlestone and he wanted to come and, before he signed for Hull, there was 45 days where we could have got him."

Huddlestone has made 22 Premier League appearances for the Tigers, scoring one goal - his first in 32 months.