Tony Mowbray suggests he’d have no problem with Stewart Downing joining Sunderland

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Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers appear to be going head to head in the race to sign Stewart Downing as a free agent.

Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray has suggested to the Lancashire Telegraph that he would have no problem with Stewart Downing joining Sunderland.

Sunderland are in competition with Blackburn over the signing of Downing, who is a free agent following his release from Middlesbrough.

And Mowbray has suggested that he would have no hard feelings if Downing did opt to make a move to Sunderland over Ewood Park.

“If he wants to go to any of the other clubs that have been mentioned then that’s fine also, whether that’s to play more football or earn a few more quid,” Mowbray said. “That would be no problem.”

Blackburn are in the division above Sunderland, but joining Jack Ross’s side must have its own appeal to Downing.

The winger is already settled in the North East after his spell with Middlesbrough, and at Sunderland he would be practically guaranteed game time.

Jack Ross’s side are looking to add quality as they look to make it out of League One at the second attempt.

Downing, despite his advancing years, would be one of the most threatening players in the third tier if he was to make the move to the Stadium of Light, and he surely walk straight into Ross’s side’s starting line-up.

Sunderland already have the likes of George Honeyman, Chris Maguire and Aiden McGeady who can play out wide, but they want to add more attacking options over the coming weeks.