Sunderland boss Roy Keane will bid for Manchester United defender Wes Brown next month.

The Journal says Brown has been a long-term Newcastle United target. But with the Black Cats in desperate need for defensive reinforcements and Premier League experience, Keane may try to use his greater leverage in the New Year transfer market to lure his old team-mate to Wearside.

Despite expecting to lose four players to the African Cup of Nations, Sam Allardyce has been encouraged to concentrate on signing "development" players rather than first-teamers in January. That could play into the hands of Keane, whose hefty transfer budget could persuade the Red Devils to sacrifice one of their longest-serving players sooner than they might prefer.