SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane is leading the chase to sign Andy Todd.

A number of clubs are interested in the Rovers defender, who has been told he can leave the club by manager Mark Hughes.

But Telegraph Sport under-stands the Black Cats are winning the race to capture the 32-year-old as Keane looks to bolster his side ahead of their return to the Premiership.

Todd's agent Peter Harrison refused to comment on the speculation, but was confident a deal could be thrashed out with a new club in the very near future.

He said: "He's (Todd) spoken to the manager and he's told him that he can leave the club for a fee.

"I've spoken to a few clubs and I'm waiting for them to come back to me.

"I don't want to name the clubs at the moment, but I can say that I don't see there being any problems getting Andy fixed up."

Todd was signed by former Rovers boss Graeme Souness in May 2002 and has enjoyed a turbulent, often controversial, career at Ewood Park.

He was sent off against Birmingham soon after breaking into the first team for kicking Christophe Dugarry in an off-the-ball incident, before being put on the transfer list and loaned out to arch rivals Burnley.

His performances at Turf Moor led to a recall and he was voted Rovers' player of the season.

Hughes made him his captain following the departure of Barry Ferguson, and Todd won a second player of the season award.

But indifferent performances at the start of the season saw him lose his place in the side, and the signing of Chris Samba (pictured inset) in the January transfer window pushed him further down the pecking order.

Hughes has said Todd can leave, despite having 12 months left to run on his contract, although the club look to be holding out for up to £500,000 for him.