With the World Cup now less than nine months away, the Socceroos defender is still without a club after Bruce told the Sunderland Echo the chase for Neill was off.

"We did speak to the player about the possibility of coming to Sunderland," Bruce said. "But as things stand, nothing's going to come of that and nothing will unless circumstances change."

Neill has been linked with numerous clubs with Spanish outfits Real Zaragoza and Atletico Madrid the most recent suitors.