Sunderland and Stoke City are chasing Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

The Daily Star Sunday says Reading's audacious £5million swoop for the England striker, 29, is already under threat with Sunderland and Stoke poised to start a new bidding war.

Premier League rivals Sunderland and Stoke were soon alerted that Defoe was on the market.

Martin O'Neill needs more Black Cats firepower with Fraizer Campbell the only senior recognised striker, while Stoke are in the hunt, too, after their failed attempt to sign Michael Owen on a free.