Sunderland face competition for Nathan Broadhead as they bid to bring Everton man back to Wearside

Sunderland could face competition from Wigan Athletic in the race to sign Nathan Broadhead this summer, according to a report. Everton striker Broadhead spent a successful season on loan with the Black Cats, helping Alex Neil's side win promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman confirmed last month that the club intended to hold talks with the Merseysiders in an effort to bring him back to Wearside next season.

But, according to LiverpoolWorld, Wigan - who also won promotion from League One last season - are considering making a move for the 24-year-old. The one reservation that the Latics are understood to hold concerning Broadhead is his injury record, with the frontman having spent a couple of spells on the sidelines with hamstring trouble during his season at Sunderland.

Those injuries, the worst of which he suffered just before Christmas and kept him out for three months, restricted Broadhead to just 27 appearances in all competitions last term, but he still contributed 13 goals - including some crucial strikes in the run-in to help Sunderland secure a play-off place. Broadhead has represented Wales at U17, U19, U20, and U21 levels, and he received his first senior call-up last month, although he later had to withdraw through injury.

Wales beat Ukraine in a World Cup qualifying play-off yesterday meaning that in November they will play in their first World Cup tournament since 1958, and Broadhead will be hoping to be part of Rob Page's squad. He will need to play first-team football in order to have a chance of booking a place on the plane to Qatar, which makes it likely he will look for a move this summer - either on loan or on a permanent basis.

Broadhead