Aberdeen grant Sunderland permission to speak to Derek McInnes

Aberdeen have announced that they have "reluctantly" granted permission to Sunderland to speak to their manager Derek McInnes.

The Black Cats have been targeting McInnes to replace David Moyes, who left in the wake of their relegation to the Championship last season.

The statement issued by the Scottish Premier League side read: "The club can confirm that early this afternoon Sunderland FC agreed to meet all the contractual obligations for both Derek McInnes and (assistant) Tony Docherty and they have, reluctantly, been granted permission to speak with both of them about the vacant managerial position at Sunderland.

"Aberdeen FC will be making no further comment at this moment in time."