SUNDERLAND are close to completing their fourth summer signing after talks with Burton Albion defender Tom Flanagan moved to an advanced stage.

Flanagan, a 26-year-old Northern Ireland international who can play in any of the positions across the back four, has been made available for a free transfer by Burton boss Nigel Clough.

Clough needs to trim his wage bill in order to make signings of his own this summer, and has deemed Flanagan surplus to requirements.

Having missed out on an alternative defensive target when Clark Robertson opted to join Rotherham United, Sunderland boss Jack Ross has moved quickly to acquire Flanagan’s services.

The former MK Dons trainee is close to agreeing terms with Sunderland officials, and could be confirmed as a Black Cats player in the next 24 hours.

He played most of last season at left-back, and made 27 Championship appearances as Burton finished 23rd in the table and accompanied Sunderland into League One.

“He’s got a year left, but we have to free something up somewhere,” said Brewers boss Nigel Clough. “He’s made 57 Championship appearances in the last two years, and he did well.

“He had a new lease of life, almost, at full-back, and the reasoning for bringing him back was he covers you all the way across the back four. That’s still the case, but we have to make cuts somewhere and, unfortunately, that’s one of them.”

With Bryan Oviedo expected to leave now he has finished representing Costa Rica at the World Cup, Sunderland are short of options at left-back, and remain interested in Manchester United youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who is expected to leave Old Trafford on loan.

They are also looking for strikers after Lyle Taylor rejected a move to the Stadium of Light in order to join Charlton Athletic, and Ross has sounded out the possibility of signing Gavin Reilly, who spent last season playing under him at St Mirren.

Bristol Rovers have also spoken to Reilly in an attempt to strike a deal.