SAM Allardyce has targeted former Sunderland captain Michael Gray as the man to replace Ricardo Gardner.

The Wanderers' boss is keen on the combative defender, who has returned to the Stadium of Light after an extended loan spell at Celtic.

He plans to follow up an initial approach with a more formal enquiry next week, but could face competition from the Scots, who have retained his registration and have first refusal, and at least one other un-named Premiership club.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has made no secret of his plans to clear out the "old guard", and Gray falls into that category after being heavily criticised on Wearside for his public support of former boss Peter Reid.

Allardyce, who failed in a bid to take Liverpool defender Djimi Traore on loan and returned empty-handed from a two-day shopping trip to Europe this week, needs cover for Gardner, who ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee in the defeat by Manchester United and is due to fly to America this weekend for surgery at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Colorado..

Confirming his interest in Gray, the manager said: "It could still be a possibility. He has come back from Celtic and Sunderland are probably looking to move him out."

Wanderers are also checking out the Bordeaux centre-back Kodjo Afanou.

The 26-year-old Togo-born defender, who was a member of the 1999 team that won the French Championship, is training at the Reebok after returning from a short-term stint with d'Al Ain Sports et Cultura in the United Arab Emirates.

"We're looking at him to see if we can sort something out for the rest of the season," Allardyce confirmed. "He is a quality defender and is available and wants to play in the Premiership."

Former France international Ibrahim Ba has agreed a new contract with Wanderers, which will keep him at the Reebok for the remainder of the season with the possibility of extending the deal for another year.