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Sam Allardyce is seeking a reunion with James Collins at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boss Big Sam will be given cash to spend in January and a leaky defence will be his No.1 priority as he battles to keep the club in the Premier League.

Wales defender Collins, 32, played under Allardyce at West Ham and is seen as the type of strong, steady defender who can bolster the Black Cats.

Sunderland have struggled at the back – ­shipping six goals at Everton – with Allardyce powerless so far to stop the rot.

In pictures - Sunderland 0-1 Southampton:

He wants experience and the board will back him with funds as summer signing Younes Kaboul has struggled to settle in.

Collins’ contract at West Ham expires next year and he has been battling to hold down a first-choice spot under Slaven Bilic.

Although he is in no rush to leave Upton Park, Sunderland might appeal to Collins with a decent deal on the table – even if he is thrown straight into a relegation scrap.

* LIAM BRIDCUTT is the subject of a three-way tug-of-war between Championship sides Cardiff, Leeds and Reading.

(Image: Ian Horrocks)

The Scotland international midfielder, 26, joined the Black Cats in January 2014 for £2.5million when his former Brighton boss Gus Poyet was manager, but has not played for them this season and is desperate for a loan move.