The 48-year-old manager flew back from Portugal, where he was on holiday, to secure his move to the Stadium of Light from Wigan Athletic last week.

He has resumed his holiday and will return ready to reshape his squad armed with the financial resources provided by new owner Ellis Short.

Bruce said: "I will scour the market and see what's available. June tends to be pretty quiet with a lot of managers on their summer break. The jostling for position hasn't really started yet - but I will scour around before I lie on my sunbed!

"I haven't had a conversation about how much money there is available, but I have spoken to the owner and he doesn't want to be involved at the bottom [of the Premier League] again. He did say he will back me.

"I have always been good value for money in the transfer market, and I will always try to be. But I'm looking at players I have never looked at before. It's like shopping in Harrods now, not Tesco."