STOKE CITY are ready to go head-to-head with Middlesbrough and Wolves for the signature of Sunderland’s Paddy McNair.

The Potters’ manager Gary Rowett has indicated to the board at the Bet 365 Stadium that he wants McNair to help spearhead the promotion charge.

Now Sunderland are fully expecting an offer to match Middlesbrough’s £5m-plus bid with add-ons, having accepted the terms from the Teessiders earlier this week.

McNair has been happy to bide his time before rushing into a transfer, though, because in an ideal world he will play Premier League football next season.

Brighton, who are close to finalising a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Jason Steele, have cooled their interest in the Northern Irishman over the size of the fee.

While that still remains an option if the Seagulls have a rethink, it is Middlesbrough and Stoke City who are the most willing to give Sunderland what they want at this stage. Wolves are considering their options.

Middlesbrough are looking to make progress on the transfer front in the next week or so as Tony Pulis prepares for his players to return to pre-season training.

New signings are on his mind and Bristol City’s defender Aden Flint is on the radar if they can persuade Bristol City to do business for £5m – even though he is valued higher than that.

But Pulis knows he could do with letting some players go too, and it has emerged Ipswich Town and Hull City are ready to do battle with Birmingham for £3m-rated winger Marvin Johnson.

Middlesbrough are prepared to listen to offers for the former Oxford man who only moved to Teesside last summer but struggled to hold down a first team shirt.

Sunderland might be in a different division to Middlesbrough next season but they are even busier on the transfer front given the circumstances following the takeover and relegation.

As well as looking to move a huge number of players on – with defender Papy Djilobodji understood to be now wanted by Trabzonspor – including Brighton-bound Steele, owner Stewart Donald continues to claim he hopes to have a few new signings in before the end of the week.

Sunderland have also upset St Johnstone north of the border after allegations were made that Jack Ross has made an approach for goalkeeper coach Paul Mathers.

Mathers has recently agreed a new deal at McDiarmid Park and St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright is angry after hearing there has been contact with Ross.

Wright said: “I’m very disappointed but I suppose nothing should surprise you in football these days. If it was me, the first thing I would do if I wanted to speak to another manager’s member of staff would be to pick up the phone.

“Jack Ross is a new manager in the game and maybe the new breed do things differently. The fact that he hasn’t phoned me or answered my calls tells you more about him. It’s underhand and disrespectful – to me and to the club. It’s out of order.”

Wright added: “I would have thought a club like Sunderland would have done their business properly. I’ve got some sympathy with Paul and can understand that he would want to speak to them but I should be the first person to know. I’m still hoping that Paul will stay.

“He agreed a new contract ten days ago after interest from Dundee United, who acted with total professionalism.”

There has been no comment from Sunderland at this stage.

Middlesbrough have confirmed that they will face Spennymoor at Brewery Field on Tuesday, July 10 at (7.45) and Rochdale at Spotland on July 24 (7.45). The game with Hartlepool on July 28 has been brought forward to a 1pm kick-off.