Ex-Sunderland winger Tommy Watson is reportedly closing in on a move to Leicester City

Sunderland promotion hero Tommy Watson looks set to sign for League One outfit Leicester City on loan, according to reports.

The winger etched his name into Wearside folklore with a stoppage time winner at Wembley in last year’s Championship play-off final - his final contribution in red and white before completing a permanent switch to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Since moving to the south coast, however, Watson has found consistent first team opportunities hard to come by. At the time of writing, the 20-year-old has 10 senior appearances to his name for the Seagulls, with nine of those coming from the bench. In a bid to further his development, Watson spent the second half of last season out on loan in the Championship with Millwall.

And with a new season fast approaching, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that the Sunderland academy graduate could now be set for a stint in the third tier with Leicester. According to O’Rourke, a loan agreement has already been struck between the Foxes and Brighton.

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As things stand, The Echo understands that Leicester are indeed in pole position to sign Watson, although no concrete agreement has been reached yet. Talks between the Foxes and Brighton are, however, continuing to advance.

For their part, Leicester are looking to make an immediate return to the Championship after suffering a painful relegation last season. The former Premier League champions finished 23rd under Gary Rowett, having started the season under the management of Marti Cifuentes.

In June, they appointed Russell Martin as their new head coach, and have since made three signings, welcoming striker Conor Chaplin and experienced goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to the King Power Stadium on free transfers, as well as wrapping up a loan agreement for Manchester City full-back Christian McFarlane.

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