There is set to be a lot of change at the Stadium of Light this summer, as Sunderland prepare for a return to the Sky Bet Championship, where they have not featured since 2007.

Changes are set to be made both on and off the field, with the search for David Moyes’ successor well underway, and Simon Grayson and Derek McInnes leading the race to land the manager’s job at Sunderland.

There is also expected to be a number of player departures from the Stadium of Light this summer, including Jermain Defoe, who is set to remain in the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth.

Defoe scored 15 goals in the Premier League last season, and must be replaced ahead of Sunderland’s Championship return, by whoever is appointed manager.

With both Grayson and McInnes in the frame, a player that could potentially follow either manager to Sunderland is Rangers’ Joe Garner, who has struggled to settle at Ibrox since his move from Preston North End last summer.

Garner scored just ten goals for the Gers last season, and could be open to a move back to the Football League, where he has previously excelled for Preston.

Grayson and Garner spent time together at Deepdale, with the 29-year old scoring 27 goals in League One for Preston during the 2014/15 season, helping Grayson’s side to promotion.

McInnes, who is the current Aberdeen manager, will have also seen Garner’s potential throughout the 2016/17 campaign, as his side competed with Rangers towards the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Whoever finds themselves in the dugout at the Stadium of Light this summer, should definitely target a move for Garner, with hope that if he can find the form he showed for Preston, the 29-year old can replace Defoe’s goals for Sunderland.