Report: Sam Allardyce wants Carlton Cole at Sunderland

Sam Allardyce wants to make Carlton Cole his first signing as Sunderland manager, according to reports.

The former West Ham United striker has been training at Celtic for the past two weeks with a view to signing but the Scottish Sun claims that Sunderland are willing to offer him Premier League football.

If the move does go through, Cole would be reunited with Allardyce, who he played under at West Ham between 2011 and 2015.

The 31-year-old was released by the Hammers at the end of last season.