JERMAIN DEFOE has urged Steve McClaren to turn his back on Newcastle United in order to take over at North-East rivals Sunderland instead.

McClaren’s appointment as Newcastle’s new head coach is set to be rubber-stamped at the start of next week, when the former Middlesbrough and England boss is due to return from an end-of-season holiday.

The 54-year-old has already held a series of discussions with Magpies managing director Lee Charnley, and is keen to move to St James’ Park following his departure from Derby County last week.

However, with Sunderland also looking to appoint a new head coach after Dick Advocaat rejected the opportunity to extend his stay on Wearside, Defoe is hoping McClaren has a last-minute change of heart that would see him join the Black Cats instead.

The pair worked together during McClaren’s unsuccessful spell at the head of the national team, and the Sunderland striker regards his former boss as the ideal candidate to build on Advocaat’s achievements in the final two months of last season.

“You have to think about who is available and those out of work, but more importantly you need someone who can get results,” said Defoe, whose four goals in the second half of the season proved crucial in helping Sunderland stave off the threat of relegation. “Sam Allardyce fits that description, and so too does Steve McClaren.

“He’s someone I played under for England. He’s a good coach, and I always enjoyed training with him. He’s a good manager with good experience – especially at this level.”

Sunderland officials have considered McClaren’s credentials, but at this stage, other figures are believed to have a stronger chance of being installed at the Stadium of Light.

Sean Dyche is the leading domestic candidate, with the Black Cats hierarchy known to have been impressed with the Burnley manager’s efforts last season despite his side’s failure to retain their top-flight status.

However, sporting director Lee Congerton is increasingly looking abroad as he assesses his options before honing in on a preferred option.

Former Stuttgart boss Armin Veh is regarded as a genuine contender, with former Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen, who continues to have a close working relationship with Congerton, championing the German’s cause.

Ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder Bernd Schuster is another experienced campaigner of considerable interest to Sunderland officials, and a senior Wearside delegation is hoping to hold discussions with the 55-year-old before the weekend.

Schuster won La Liga with Real Madrid in the 2007-08 season, and has subsequently led Besiktas and Malaga, where his last senior coaching position ended in May 2014.

Sunderland’s managerial search remains at a fairly formative stage because owner Ellis Short was determined to give Advocaat as much time as possible to decide on his future, and Defoe admits it was a blow to everyone when the Dutchman decided to return to his homeland rather than remain in the North-East.

“The fans and most of the players would have loved Dick to stay because he came in and did exactly what was required,” said the striker. “It was good to stay up, but we don’t want to be here again next season.

“We need to be in a position where in the second half of the season, we can enjoy our football and look to finish as high as we can.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland will not be making a decision over Adam Johnson’s availability for the opening weeks of the season until much later in the summer.

Johnson is due to stand trial at Durham Crown Court on three charges of sexual activity with a minor and one of sexual grooming on Monday, August 24.

The new Premier League season is due to begin on August 8, and Johnson will be eligible for the three matches scheduled to take place prior to his court appearance.