Nigel Clough explained why Tom Flanagan had been made available for transfer following Burton Albion's relegation from the Championship in May.

Northern Ireland international Flanagan is the subject of interest from Sunderland, who are said to be 'closing in' on the 26-year-old.

Flanagan has one year left on his current deal with the Brewers, having signed a two-year contract last summer after originally deciding not to take up the club's offer in June 2017.

And now he looks set to move to the Stadium of Light club, relegated along with Burton last season, on a free transfer.

Tom Flanagan celebrates his opener in the win at Sheffield Wednesday

Black Cats boss Jack Ross is currently overseeing a revamp of his squad as they bid for an immediate return to the Championship. Flanagan will join ex-Brewer John McLaughlin, who moved to Wearside on Tuesday.

A key performer in Albion's successful survival bid last season, the versatile former MK Dons man made 27 appearances this campaign and scored his first two goals for the club in wins over Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

But with Burton now preparing for a return to League One, Clough says that putting Flanagan up for transfer is down to needing to "make cuts somewhere" and with other defensive options open to him.

"He's got a year left, but we have to free something up somewhere," the Albion boss said when the Brewers' retained list was confirmed.

"With John Brayford, if Damien McCrory stays (he has been offered a new deal), and Ben Turner stepping in at left-back as he did, I don't think we can carry all three.

"He's made 57 Championship appearances in the last two years, and he did well.

"He had a new lease of life, almost, at full-back.

"The reasoning for bringing him back was he covers you all the way across the back four.

Tom Flanagan fights through blue shirts
Tom Flanagan fights through blue shirts

"That's still the case, but we have to make cuts somewhere and unfortunately, that's one of them.

"He hasn't done anything wrong greatly. It's just that, as I say, if Damien signs, it'll be Brayford and Damien who'll be our full-backs."