SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Vito Mannone is on his way to Reading.

The Italian missed last night’s 2-1 friendly win at Hartlepool United and he will have a medical in Berkshire this morning.

“We have agreed a fee with Reading, a suitable offer. We made it clear it was his decision and for his long-term future it’s best if he goes,’’ admitted boss Simon Grayson.

“We have to go out and get another goalkeeper, but young Max (Stryjek) showed what a good prospect he is.

“We are looking in all positions, as we are vulnerable to players leaving, we are not trying to hide that. We may have had a deal already done, but it may not happen now and we continue to look.’’

Reading also considered Newcastle’s Karl Darlow, but Mannone is a cheaper option for Jaap Stam.

Another player with little future on Wearside won it for the Black Cats last night.

Jeremain Lens has been on loan at Fenerbache and is keen to return to Turkey. After his 25-yard free-kick secured victory, Grayson said of the Dutchman: “Lens… we will see, while players are contracted to the club we will look at them. It’s all about moving the squad about and seeing players in action.

“It’s never easy coming into a new club, but we will work hard to get it right. What we bring in will buy into the ideas long-term we hope.’’

Two and a half minutes in and Lee Cattermole’s crunching tackles on Hawkins and Adams brought applause from the visiting fans.

A fit Cattermole would surely be a big asset for Grayson, his combative nature was missed last season and he insists he is now over his injury problems.

It was 20 minutes before the first sniff of goal, Michael Woods opening up the defence and Lewis Hawkins’ ball was kicked against the post by Lamine Kone.

At the other end, wide man Joel Asoro broke into the area and, after keeper Scott Loach smothered, Pools cleared.

The home side included three former Sunderland prospects in defence – Louis Laing, Scott Harrison and Blair Adams.

James Vaughan, newly signed from Bury, met an Asoro cross with a firm overhead kick which went high over the bar.

Laing got in a tangle with Asoro and when they ended up in a heap, the Black Cats had a soft penalty, confidently put away by Josh Maja.

Pools almost levelled on the hour, left-back Adams crossed and Padraig Amond’s header was goalbound, before Max Stryjek saved low at the foot of his post.

They did square it minutes later when Ryan Donaldson took an angled ball in the area and held off Adam Matthews to confidently net.

Harrison tugged back Didier Ndong as the substitute midfielder darted into space behind the defence. In a competitive game he would have been sent off.

Pools, however, were still punished.

Lens may be on his way out and has been out of favour, but he showed what he is capable of as he curled a lovely free-kick from 25 yards, over the defensive wall and beyond everything keeper Scott Loach could muster.

It earned Grayson victory at Victoria Park, some 12 years after his first. That was when he was only caretaker manager of Blackpool, a game in which Pools imploded as then boss Martin Scott was sacked.

There’s been plenty of carnage at Pools since, especially of late, but the signs were there last night that Craig Harrison is developing a competitive side.

The boss said: “It was excellent from start to finish, we had chances, put them under pressure – exactly what I asked of them. I cannot speak any more highly of them.

“We looked fit and showed quality. We don’t want to be predictable in how we play and the combination play at times was brilliant, especially in the opposition half. I was really, really pleased.

“We more than matched Sunderland, lads of international and Premier League quality, It was really encouraging. We have learned again, showed quality and the lads were very responsive to what we did in training yesterday.

“But again, it’s pre-season with a lot to work on. Give that every week and we won’t be far off.’’

Hartlepool United: Loach; Magnay, Harrison, Laing, Adams; Newton (Donnelly 70; (Richardson 79)), Hawkins, Woods, Donaldson; Oates (Munns 21), Amond. Subs: Catterick (gk), Travers, Richardson, Risborough, Mondal.

Sunderland: Stryjek; Jones (O’Shea 59), Kone, Browning (Lens 59), Matthews (Djilobodji 70); Gibson, Cattermole, Honeyman (Khazri 70); Asoro (Love 59), Maja, Vaughan (Ndong 70). Subs: Domingues (gk).

Attendance: 4,728