SUNDERLAND are looking to avoid losing midfielder Dylan McGeouch for nothing after Aberdeen outlined a wish to get him on the cheap within the next week.

The Black Cats decided to trigger a one-year extension on the deal he signed last summer when he moved from Hibernian as a free agent.

But Sunderland are still willing to listen to offers for a number of players, including the 26-year-old and Aberdeen have made their interest known in him.

McGeouch opted to head for Wearside rather than Pittodrie last summer in a bid to impress in the English league after spells with Rangers, Celtic and Hiberian.

But the move has not turned out as he would have liked and he found himself playing less football than he would have liked under manager Jack Ross.

Sunderland now don’t have to let him leave for nothing because of his new contract and that means they would be looking for some money to offload him.

But Aberdeen do not have the money to spend so are pushing to get something tied up without over-spending as Derek McInnes looks to improve his squad before next weeks’ European game with RoPS Rovaniemi.

Aberdeen have already signed six free agents and loans since the end of last season and are still not looking to pay transfer fees. Another loan could suit, but Sunderland might not see the benefit of that having given him fresh terms.

Aberdeen want a new midfielder on board before the July 5 UEFA deadline, which would enable them to field him on July 11. Failing that, they could still sign him and register him as their one “wildcard” provided it was at least 48 hours before the first leg at Pittodrie.

McInnes knows new signing Craig Bryson is already recovering from an ankle ligament injury and is a doubt for the Europa League tie, while fellow midfielder Stephen Gleeson will miss both games because of knee surgery.

Aberdeen lost midfielders Graeme Shinnie, Dom Ball and Greg Stewart at the end of last season so McGeouch is a perfect fit to boost their Scottish Premier League squad.

Sunderland are certainly interested in letting players leave because they are looking to bring in at least half a dozen new players before the next League One season.

Ross is looking to strengthen in a variety of areas in the hope of going one better than a play-off place and sealing promotion next time around.

Sunderland supporters, meanwhile, are advised the club’s away fixture against Coventry City is subject to change.

Due to take place on Saturday, February 29 at Birmingham City’s St Andrew's, the match currently clashes with Aston Villa’s home fixture against Sheffield United.

Further details will be provided after broadcast selections are confirmed in December, but supporters are advised to take the above information into consideration when planning for the fixture.