Sunderland are leading the race to sign Tommy Elphick from Aston Villa this summer, according to the Mirror’s live blog (25/7, 20:07).

Elphick’s nightmare 12-months at Villa Park appears to be coming to an end after he missed out on Villa’s pre-season tour of Germany earlier this summer.

The arrivals of John Terry and Chris Samba have pushed the 29-year-old further down the pecking order, with James Chester and Nathan Baker also ahead of the former AFC Bournemouth defender.

Birmingham City and Leeds United are also interested in signing Elphick, but Sunderland are ahead of their Sky Bet Championship rivals in the race to sign the out-of-favour defender.

Elphick made 26 Championship appearances last season, but after Steve Bruce’s appointment as manager he lost the captaincy and his regular place in the starting XI, with Chester and Baker preferred.

Simon Grayson is keen to add the experienced defender to his Sunderland squad, as he prepares them for their first return to the Championship since 2007.

Elphick is not the only Villa player Grayson is looking to sign, with the Black Cats also interested in taking Ross McCormack on-loan.

Sunderland are also close to completing the signings of Lewis Grabban and Jason Steele, who are both in the North East for medicals.

What do you make of this news? Do you expect Elphick to be playing at the Stadium of Light next season? Let us know your thoughts!