The transfer deadline kicked in at 5pm yesterday on a day when four more players left the club – Danny Collins, Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards and Teemu Tainio.

But others will leave as soon as the fortnight's pause between transfer deadline and the reopening of the loan system has passed.

Among those who are expected to be offered to clubs in the Championship are Daryl Murphy, Roy O'Donovan, David Healy and, when fit again, the likes of Russell Anderson, David Meyler and Michael Liddle.

Steve Bruce has wasted no time in going about the business of dramatically reducing the size of his squad since taking over.

He has made seven new signings in the transfer window, but departures on permanent deals or loans since the close of last season number 19.

And the new manager has made no secret of the fact that he doesn't believe in handing every young professional a squad number, or in operating with a first-team squad much larger than 23 or 24 players.

"I expect players to be knocking on my door on a Monday morning if they're not getting in the side," he explained.

"But while I don't mind if there's one or two outside to ask why they're not in the side, you can't be coping with half-a-dozen every week!"

Sunderland's squad has now been reduced to a far more wieldy figure but further reductions are set to follow.

Healy came close to agreeing a loan move to Coventry City this month, while a host of Championship clubs will take Murphy – Roy Keane's Ipswich being the first in line.