Sunderland look to have won the race to sign the Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, fighting off competition from North-east rivals Newcastle.

There was also interest in the 24-year-old from Watford and West Bromwich Albion, but Sunderland are believed to have offered better terms for the player.

Sam Allardyce is desperate to add new faces to a team who have won just three Premier League games this season. Sunderland, who face Liverpool tonight, have also lost their last four games, conceding 11 goals in the process.

Allardyce believes the pace of Townsend will add a new dimension to his side. Townsend, whose contract at Spurs is not due to end until 2018, will significantly increase his current £40,000-a-week salary by moving to the Stadium of Light.

The England international is increasingly frustrated over his lack of opportunities at White Hart Lane this season under Mauricio Pochettino. He was dropped and fined following a clash with the fitness coach Nathan Gardiner after Spurs’ 3-1 victory against Aston Villa last month.