Aberdeen braced for official Sunderland approach for manager Derek McInnes

SUNDERLAND are ready to make a move for Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

The club are understood to want to appoint a replacement for David Moyes by early next week.

Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain, formerly of Rangers, has placed McInnes at the top of his wishlist, and is preparing to formally request to speak to the 45-year-old.

McInnes has previously stated his intention to stay with Aberdeen but could be tempted by a high profile job in the English Championship.

He has two years left on his contract and has been on a family holiday in Florida and was unavailable for comment when our sister title the Evening Express tried to contact him.

This season, he led Aberdeen to second in the Premiership for a third time in a row and reached both domestic cup finals, losing out twice to Celtic.

Sunderland have consulted with Walter Smith during their search for a new manager, and it is understood that the former Rangers and Scotland boss gave McInnes a glowing review.