Sunderland are poised to tempt Stewart Downing to quit West Ham for an emotional return to the north east.

The 30-year-old still has two years left of his contract to run at Upton Park, but the Black Cats have made the England international one of their main summer targets.

Downing grew up in nearby Middlesbrough for whom he played and insiders at Sunderland feel an offer of a long-term contract will be appealing to Downing.