SUNDERLAND are preparing an approach for in-demand Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, but Black Cats officials are not anticipating a hectic start to their summer transfer dealing.

Martin O'Neill is keen to make changes to his squad this summer, and while owner Ellis Short remains determined to keep the club's wage bill under control, funds will be made available for strengthening.

However, with the build up to the European Championships dominating the footballing agenda already, there is an acceptance that it will be hard to strike deals until later in the summer.

That is not preventing O'Neill and his staff from making preliminary inquiries about some of their leading targets though, and Zaha has emerged as a potential acquisition.

The 19-year-old was one of the most talked-about players in the Championship last season and is expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer.

Palace rejected an offer from Bolton Wanderers in the January transfer window and tied Zaha down to a new long-term deal.

However, with Eagles boss Dougie Freedman having to sell in order to buy this summer, it is believed Palace would accept around £4m for the England Under-21 international.

Newly-promoted Reading have also expressed an interest, while German club Hoffenheim are a surprise candidate for Zaha's capture.

Sunderland are confident they can match the offers currently being mooted, and Zaha would appear to be an alternative to Blackburn's Junior Hoilett, who is also a target.

Black Cats scouts have watched Hoilett on a number of occasions this season, but the winger, who is about to become a free agent, has also been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham and it increasingly looks as though he will be able to select his choice of future employer from a lengthy list.

O'Neill is hoping to sign at least two new strikers this summer, with Wolves' Steven Fletcher and Bolton's Kevin Davies prominent in his thoughts.

Fletcher is set to leave Wolves following their relegation to the Championship, although the Black Country club are adamant they will only sell if the price is right. Initial quotes of £10m are fanciful, but it will not be easy to prise Fletcher from Molineux for anything less than £7m.

O'Neill tried to sign Davies on loan in January, only for the veteran to remain at the Reebok Stadium. Another approach is anticipated, but sources in Lancashire claim the 35-year-old has been offered a one-year contract that will enable him to develop his coaching with the Trotters, and is close to agreeing to the deal.