Sunderland have made a strong start to their League One campaign this season, and they will certainly be confident of returning to the Championship at the first time of asking. 

Jack Ross' side are currently third in the table, and have a serious chance of an immediate return to the second tier of English football after back-to-back relegations.

It's likely to be a busy transfer window for the Black Cats as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the remainder of the season.

One area where they could be tempted to add depth to is the goalkeeper position, with a former Sunderland favourite recently becoming available for transfer.

Vito Mannone left Sunderland in the summer of 2017, in favour of a move to Reading, where he was a regular last season for the Royals.

But the shot-stopper has gone on to make just six appearances this season for the Berkshire based side, who face a serious relegation fight for the remainder of this year's campaign.

The Reading Chronicle revealed that Mannone was one of five first-team players that had been transfer listed as Jose Gomes looks to clear out the so-called "deadwood" in his squad.

Mannone is far too good of an option to be playing with the under 23's and he'll surely be eyeing a move away from Reading at the earliest of opportunities.

If he was to join Sunderland, then he would provide much-needed competition to current first-choice goalkeeper, Jon McLaughlin for the rest of the season.

Mannone has a point to prove after a poor season with Reading, and a move to Sunderland could be the perfect destination for him to kick-start his career which has stalled in recent seasons.