Wright move for Sunderland

The England Under-21 star is seemingly surplus to requirements at Anfield, despite the fact he only signed a new three-year contract last season.

However, the return to fitness of Markus Babbel and the signing of Abel Xavier together with the presence of Jamie Carragher, means that Wright is very much down the pecking order.

Liverpool confirmed the news, announcing: "We have had discussions with Sunderland and have now agreed a fee for the player.

"We have now given Sunderland permission to speak directly with Stephen."

Wright is seen by Reid as the answer to his problems at right back, a position he has been looking to fill since placing Austrian Bernt Hass on the transfer-list at the end of last season.

Wright's last game for Liverpool came at Fulham last season in early March, but after starting at Craven Cottage he failed to feature again for The Reds.

Sunderland will be hoping to tie up the deal early next week in time for him to make his debut in their Premiership opener at Blackburn next Saturday.

Meanwhile, striker Lilian Laslandes has returned to his native France on sick leave after stating his desire to leave the Wearside club.

The former Bordeaux hitman is so keen to end his nightmare spell with The Black Cats that he has been pondering retirement in order to join a local amateur side near his home in France.

The 30-year-old wants to meet with officials at the Stadium of Light club to request a free transfer to a French club.

Laslandes said: "I want to go back to France.

"I have contacts but they will succeed only at one condition - I have to be available on a free."

Sunderland are reluctant to let the player they paid £3.6 million from the Parc Lescure club go without receiving anything back in return and Laslandes may be forced to wait until Peter Reid's side receive a suitable bid for the striker from another club.