Sunderland have emerged as the new favourites to sign Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty.
Free agent Lafferty - who was most recently with Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08 - had been linked with a return to Hearts this month.
However, it is understood that Phil Parkinson's Sunderland are interested in securing the striker's signature as they continue to battle their way up the League One table.
The Black Cats - who are 9th in the league - had a good festive period and started 2020 with a draw at Fleetwood before seeing off Lincoln 3-1 last Saturday at the Stadium of Light.
Lafferty is understood to have met with club representatives at Sunderland's training ground on Tuesday with talks set to open in the next 24 hours.
If Lafferty signs on at the Stadium of Light he will become the fourth Northern Ireland International at the club, joining Will Grigg, Tom Flanagan and Conor McLaughlin.
The Black Cats host table toppers Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday as they hope to close the nine-point gap currently separating the sides.
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