Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has admitted he was disappointed to lose out on signing Adam Johnson.

The Black Cats were keen to land the former Middlesbrough winger and were close to sealing a deal for him during January.

But Manchester City won the day with their late move for the 22-year-old winger and Bruce concedes he would have liked to have snapped up Johnson.

"I'm happy with the business we've done, but, yes, I'd have loved to have brought Adam in as well," said Bruce.

"We had him watched two, three, four times and more and he was a player we really liked the look of.

"He was a local lad as well and I'm sure our fans would have taken him to their hearts but it wasn't to be.

"The lad made a decision that he had every right to and we move on."

Johnson was not the only target Bruce missed out in January but he insists he was happy with what he got as he signed Matt Kilgallon, Alan Hutton and Benjani.

"I'm delighted to get Matt and Alan and Benjani," he said.

"I think they will be three very good signings for us.

"They've all come here with a really good attitude, they really want to play and make a contribution.

"And, in my opinion, we've got three very good Premiership players who are going to strengthen us for the run-in.

"I said at the start of the window that it wasn't easy to do business in this month. I said at the start of the window that we'd probably only make two or three signings.

"And that's exactly how it's turned out.

"But, overall, I've got to be happy that I have managed to bring in some good players to address some of the problems that were concerning us.

"Alan and Matt are going to really help us in defence, while we needed someone like Benjani with all his attributes and Premier League experience up front."

Meanwhile, Bruce is convinced victory over Wigan on Saturday could turn Sunderland's season around as they battle to end a dismal run of results.

Sunderland's season around as they battle to end a dismal run of results.

The Black Cats entertain Bruce's former club knowing extending a run of 10 Premier League games without a victory could plunge them into relegation trouble, something which would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.

Sunderland have collected just four from a possible 30 points since the day they confirmed their impressive start to the campaign with a home victory over Arsenal on November 21, and they now sit just three points clear of the drop zone.

Bruce, who nevertheless enjoys the continued support of the Wearside hierarchy, admits times are tough, but is confident redemption is at hand.

He said: "It's not easy, the situation, but I do think you do become a better manager if you survive it and I am absolutely convinced that we can get the right result and turn our season around again.

"We are getting to the nitty-gritty party of the season and I am very, very confident that we can get a win and we can turn it around.

"However, it must come quickly, there's no hiding from that. Just like we had a wonderful start, we have had a dismal run and we have got to address it and hopefully get the victory which will send everyone on their way."