Black Cats snub hitman approach

Hibernian have been snubbed in their bid to take Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes to Easter Road on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international has struggled to hold down a first-team place at the Stadium of Light given that he was loaned out to the likes of Sheffield United and Crystal Palace last season.

And Hibs boss John Hughes was hopeful of securing Stokes on a temporary basis after seeing him score 16 goals in 18 appearances in a previous loan stint at his former club Falkirk.

However, Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is only interested in sanctioning a permanent sale for a player who has managed only five goals in 38 appearances - 22 of them as a substitute - for the Premier League outfit since joining them for £2million from Arsenal in January 2007.