Newly relegated League One club Sunderland are looking to boost their summer recruitment campaign by signing Aston Villa chief scout Tony Coton to head up their transfer business.

According to a report by the Birmingham Mail, via news broke by journalist Alan Nixon, the Black Cats want Coton to come in and provide some stability off the field as the club look to identifty new players who can give the club an instant return back to the Championship.

Coton made his name as a player with Watford and Manchester City, making in excess of 400 appearances combined for both clubs, and has been involved in football ever since, with roles with the England B team of particular note.

He spent a year with Sunderland in his playing days following those spells, and it appears now he is being lined up to come back to the club and help out with new manager Jack Ross and his summer transfer plans.

Coton is better known in his non playing days for his spell with Manchester United as goalkeeping coach for ten years, which ended in 2007.

Villa and Sunderland fans, what do you make of this news? Boost for the Black Cats? Let us know in the comments!