Sunderland ready to tempt West Brom's James Morrison

Albion are facing a fresh challenge in their battle to keep James Morrison, with Sunderland ready to make a move for the midfielder.

Morrison, the Baggies' longest-serving player, is yet to decide whether to accept an offer to stay at The Hawthorns amid speculation he could be tempted by a move back to home-town club Middlesbrough.

Sunderland are now also thought to be willing to offer the 29-year-old a route back to the north east, with Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce a keen admirer of a player who has been among Albion's most consistent in recent seasons.

Head coach Tony Pulis has made no secret of his desire to keep Morrison and the deal currently on the table from Albion is understood to include significantly-improved terms.

Morrison, who is settled in the Midlands with a young family, is thought to be genuinely torn on what to do and may not make a final decision until returning from international duty with Scotland.

Born in Darlington, he won the FA Youth Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004 and started in the UEFA Cup final against Seville in 2006, before joining Albion a year later in a £1.5million move.

He has since gone on to make more than 250 senior appearances and has been capped 41 times by Scotland.

Morrison has even stood in as captain at times in the absence of Chris Brunt.

With Boro now back in the Premier League, they are understood to be keen on taking Morrison back but reports the Teesside club would be willing to offer as much as £70,000-a-week to do so are thought to be wide of the mark.

Morrison scored four goals in 21 appearances for Albion this season but did not feature after rupturing a hamstring during January's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, his absence coinciding with a lacklustre finish to the season by the club.

Should he depart this summer, it would leave Pulis with another hole to fill in midfield after Albion decided not to offer a new deal to Stephane Sessegnon.