Striker can go - Ricky

Sunderland have told El-Hadji Diouf he is free to leave the club if Blackburn pursue a deal for the African forward.

Diouf has struggled to settle since joining from Bolton Wanderers in the summer and reports claim that Blackburn, now managed by former Trotters boss Sam Allardyce, are in the hunt.

The player would jump at the chance to link up with Allardyce again and if a good offer came in then caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia admits he could let him move on.

"If Blackburn want Dioufy, then fine," Sbragia said. "I don't have a problem with that as long as it is done right. If he wants to go and the deal is right, he can go.

"Talking to him recently he is quite happy, his wife's had a baby and there were complications so he has been off for a week - but he is back training again now."