Sunderland to challenge Newcastle for Spurs outcast Townsend

Sunderland will rival Newcastle United for Tottenham winger Andros Townsend in January.

The Mirror says Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is ready to fight North East rivals Newcastle for the January signing of Townsend .

And with Swansea having also registered an interest with Tottenham about their out-of-favour England winger, Townsend looks almost certain to leave White Hart Lane in the mid-season window.

Allardyce is a long-term admirer of Townsend who tried to sign the player during his West Ham days, and he has told the Stadium of Light board that he wants to bring the wideman to Wearside.