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Free agent Dylan McGeouch says he will take his time deciding his future after being linked with a move to Sunderland .

The Hibernian central midfielder is the latest Scottish-based player to be linked with a move to the Stadium of Light . The Black Cats have also been credited with an interest in former Gateshead and Newcastle United winger Marcus Maddison after Peterborough United missed out on promotion last season.

Ross began planning for next season in earnest on Friday morning, having started his new job as Sunderland manager the previous day. He admitted on his first day it would be hard to know what he needs and what money he has available to get it until the holes in his squad appear, but a major overhaul of the squad is planned afte the club suffered consecutive relegations for the first time in their history.

But already the midfield looks likely to suffer a couple of high-profile losses, and with McGeouch available on a free transfer and Rangers, Aberdeen, Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers, there could otherwise be a need to move quickly on the 25-year-old.

The man himself, though, seems determined not to be rushed.

McGeouch, Hibs’ player and players’ player of the year, has been on Scotland’s end-of-season tour, which took them to Peru and Mexico.

“I have just put it all on hold,” he said. “I knew I was coming away with the international squad so I just wanted to get that out of the way and hopefully get a few caps. I will go back home after these games, sit down with my representatives and take it from there.

“I am not in a rush to make any decision just now.”

Another Hibs midfielder, John McGinn, has also been linked to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have rebuffed bids of £2m and £3.75m from Brighton and Hove Albion for Paddy McNair. They turned down a £2.6m offer for fellow midfielder Didier Ndong, but may be prepared to do business now Torino have come back with £6.6m. Both players have other clubs interested.

It is only natural for a manager in a new league to look to a market he knows, but Ross is wary of overloading his squad with new signings who do not know League One, particularly when so few of the players he has inherited do. He is a third tier novice too. He played there for Hartlepool United in 2004-05, but that was the only part of his career spent outside of Scotland.

That is the attraction with Maddison.

He had a verbal agreement with Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony that he would be allowed to leave if the Posh failed to win promotion. They finished ninth last season, with Maddison their top-scorer. He found the net nine times in 41 league games.