Bruce first worked with the midfielder at Wigan after prizing him away from Middlesbrough, before bringing him back to the north east following his own switch to the Stadium of Light.
Now the Tigers manager is keen to be reunited with the 25-year-old again as he looks for him to spearhead City's return to the Premier League.
It remains to be seen whether he will figure in Paolo Di Canio's plans, but it is the worst kept secret in Sunderland that he is up for sale.