HULL CITY are working on a deal that could see Lee Cattermole leave Sunderland on loan before this Thursday’s transfer deadline.

The Tigers’ manager Nigel Adkins wants the 30-year-old to improve his team’s options after the departures of Seb Larsson and Davie Meyler this summer.

Both clubs have been in discussions in recent days in a bid to get something wrapped up, knowing that the stumbling block is his Premier League wages.

The Northern Echo:

Cattermole is the highest paid player at Sunderland these days and they could do with letting him go to free up more space on the wage bill following relegation to League One.

Jack Ross, the Sunderland manager, has been full of praise for the former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder for the way he has gone about his business since taking over.

Cattermole has continued to train with the first team and played during pre-season and has a decent enough relationship with Ross.

But Sunderland know that they are not in a position to be wanting to keep him at the Stadium of Light because of his contract, and that still has a further three years left to run on it.

Hull will not be willing to match his pay packet but it is hoped that an agreement is reached with Sunderland that will enable him to head to the KC Stadium on loan initially.

Sunderland have added midfielders to their ranks this season and Dylan McGeouch looks the likeliest man to be playing the Cattermole role when he is fit.

The emergence of 16-year-old Bali Mumba, who made his full debut against Charlton on Saturday, has also helped persuade Ross that they can cope without the more experienced man.

A further indication that Cattermole is likely to be on his way this summer was when he was overlooked for the captaincy. George Honeyman was handed the reins instead.

Sunderland signed Luke O’Nien last week from Wycombe and he started ahead of Cattermole against the Addicks, even though the new recruit had not played during pre-season.

There is still talk of Sunderland being back in for Rangers midfielder Jack Docherty. The 21-year-old was one of his main targets earlier in the summer but couldn’t agree a deal.

Burton Albion and Championship clubs have also been in touch with Rangers and the former Hamilton man is a top target for Shrewsbury.

Sunderland have been told that £675,000 is what will be required to get him away from Rangers. Ross is weighing up whether that is worth it, although things could change once Cattermole’s future is decided.