Ex-Celtic defender on the verge of Sunderland exit to rejoin Bristol City

Adam Matthews will be the next unwanted Sunderland player out of the exit door, with the ex-Celtic defender expected to depart within the next 48 hours.

Matthews is one of five surplus-to-requirements players who have been left out of Sunderland's week-long trip to France after the right-back has been training with the Under-23s throughout pre-season.

The Welsh international has no prospect of a second chance under David Moyes after making just two first-team appearances for Sunderland since arriving at the Stadium of Light 12 months ago.

But Matthews is close to rejoining Bristol City after the Â£2million defender spent the final two months of last season at Ashton Gate.

Matthews will move on another loan deal after the Robins have been in talks with Sunderland for several weeks.

He will represent another success in Sunderland's attempts to offload the dead-wood after Santiago Vergini and Emanuele Giaccherini have already left the club this summer.

Moyes is eager to bring in a fresh face at right-back, although speculation that Sunderland have made a move for Aston Villa defender Micah Richards are wide of the mark.