Sunderland are ready to snap up Paul Scharner.

The Daily Mail says Scharner, 32, quit West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer to join Bundesliga side Hamburg in the summer. But injury and suspension has meant he's seen little action for the strugglers.

Deal broker Valentine Hobel said: "Paul wants to show next season what he can do for HSV, but for that he needs match practice and that would probably be at Sunderland."