Southampton have reportedly accepted a £3million offer from Sunderland for Chris Baird as Roy Keane seeks to shore up his defence.

The Black Cats are short at the back following the returns of Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson to Manchester United and Keane has desperately been looking for reinforcements.

He has already landed Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson and Greg Halford from Reading, while he has made bids for West Brom duo Paul McShane and Paul Robinson.

And he is now set to enter talks with Northern Ireland international Baird after Saints accepted Sunderland's offer on Friday, according to BBC Sport.