Shane Long is a target for Sunderland this summer.

The Republic of Ireland international left Reading for West Bromwich Albion in a £4.5million deal last summer, and he featured in 32 of their Premier League games.

Long remains under contract at the Hawthorns until at least 2014, with another year as an option, but The Independent claims Martin O’Neill is interested.

The Black Cats manager is determined to build on the progress he made since replacing Steve Bruce last season, and is plotting a £6million bid for the 25-year-old.

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