Newcastle, Sunderland battle for James Collins

Newcastle United and Sunderland will reportedly battle it out for the signature of Aston Villa defender James Collins.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew is ready to make a £5m January bid for the 28-year-old, according to The People.

United are without centre-back Steven Taylor for the rest of the season after he recently suffered a serious Achilles injury.

However, new Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill could make Collins, who has 18 months left on his current deal, his first signing at the Stadium of Light.

O'Neill brought Collins to Villa Park from West Ham United in 2009 when he was manager of the Midlands side.