Sunderland close in on free agent

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is set to offer free agent James McFadden a deal following a trial spell on Wearside.

The striker has been without a club since seeing his contract at Everton come to an end and has been training with the Sunderland squad, in a bid to prove his fitness. There was speculation last month that McFadden was on the verge of signing a short-term deal at the Stadium of Light and it would now appear as if the forward is set to put pen to paper on a deal that is expected to run until the end of the season. McFadden's agent, Rob Segal, has told the Chronicle that he expects a deal to be completed this week, meaning the 29-year-old would be available for the Wear-Tyne derby after the international break.