PETER REID'S Sunderland revamp gathered pace yesterday as Niall Quinn was elevated to player-coach and Kenny Cunningham and Neil McCann emerged as major transfer targets.

Manager Reid, under pressure from disgruntled fans to stop the rot that set in during last season's relegation battle, ordered a backroom reshuffle which saw Adrian Heath replace Bobby Saxton as assistant manager and veteran striker Quinn offered a coaching niche.

And Reid, whose only summer signing so far has been the free-transfer arrival of defender Phil Babb from Sporting Libson, stepped up his pursuit of Wimbledon centre-back Cunningham and Rangers winger McCann.

New Dons boss Stuart Murdoch confirmed that Cunningham, who played for the Republic of Ireland at the World

Cup, has been in talks with Sunderland.

Reid is hoping the cash-strapped Dons will agree a cut-price £750,000 deal for Cunningham, who is 31 tomorrow. (CORRECT)

Murdoch said: ''Kenny has spoken to Sunderland, but other than that I don't

know what the situation is.

''I would certainly want to keep Kenny here. He has proved at the World Cup

that he's the kind of player any club would want.

''But I understand the financial situation at the club. I have not spoken to Kenny myself. As far as I know he is very happy at the club and his performances last season were extremely consistent.''

Reid has also identified Scottish international McCann - no relation of Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann - as a player who can improve service from the flanks.

McCann, has been at Ibrox for three-and-a-half years since a £1.6m move from Hearts.

And despite being rated by manager Alex McLeish, the 27-year-old's first-team chances have become increasingly fleeting - he started less than half of Rangers' matches last season.

The Glasgow giants will be tempted by offers in the £2.5m bracket for McCann, who is also attracting the attention of Southampton boss Gordon Strachan.

Quinn's promotion in the Black Cats' ranks signifies how highly Reid regards the Republic of Ireland World Cup star, who retired from the international game after his country's last-16 elimination in the Far East.

The 35-year-old wants to scale down his playing duties because of chronic injury problems.

Quinn, who has a history of knee trouble, played through the pain barrier last season with a nagging back injury.

But Reid, still searching for a long-term replacement for the towering target man, now sees him as a key player in his management set-up alongside Heath, who was formerly first-team coach.

Reid said: "The new football structure will be a massive benefit to the football club in terms of experience, technical knowledge, new ideas and enthusiasm."

Quinn, who has been with Sunderland for six years, formed a prolific partnership with Kevin Phillips which was instrumental in back-to-back seventh-place finishes following the club's return to the Premiership in 1999.

Saxton has stood down after being at Reid's right hand since the former England midfielder took charge on Wearside over seven years ago.

The vastly-experienced Saxton takes on what is essentially a high-powered scouting role.

But as well as talent-spotting, Saxton will have responsibility for helping to develop youngsters at the club's academy, loan signings and exploring the extension of "nursery Club'' associations.

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