Newcastle United are making a late move for West Ham United winger Stewart Downing.

The Daily Star Sunday says rivals Sunderland are desperate to sign the former England winger, who has been told he can leave Upton Park by new boss Slaven Bilic.

But Toon chief Steve McClaren is desperate to buy British as he aims to kick-start his St James' Park revolution and wants to bring Downing, 30, in.

The wide man, who would cost around £5million, made his Middlesbrough first-team debut under McClaren during his reign on Teesside and would welcome a move back to the North East.