Report: Sunderland target Charlie Austin

Sunderland will reportedly launch a bid for Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin when the transfer window opens in January.

Sam Allardyce took charge of the struggling Black Cats in early October, but has lost three of his four Premier League games at the helm.

According to the Daily Mail, the experienced manager will be handed a transfer kitty of £20m in January in a bid to keep the club in England's top flight.

The same report claims that R's forward Austin, who scored 18 Premier League goals last season, has been identified as Sunderland's leading target.

Austin, 26, has also been a regular scorer in the Championship this season, hitting seven goals in 12 appearances for the capital side.

The striker's contract runs out at the end of the season, however, and QPR are expected to sell in January despite rejecting a host of interest last summer.

Sunderland currently sit 19th in the Premier League table on six points.