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Championship Wigan are close to winning the £1.5million race for Sunderland’s Republic of Ireland winger James McClean.

Latics hope to beat promotion rivals Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers to the speedy wide-man, who is out of Paolo Di Canio’s plans at the Premier League side.

McClean made an explosive start to his career with the Black Cats under then-boss Martin O'Neill.

But he struggled to match those feats last term as the Wearsiders flirted with relegation – and now Di Canio is willing to let him go.

The Latics, aiming to bounce back into the top flight at the first attempt while also playing in the Europa League as FA Cup winners, aim to tie up a deal as early as Wednesday.