Sunderland are reported to be lining up a loan move for ex-Everton star Tim Cahill

31 December 2012 02:00
Martin O'Neill is ready to ask Tim Cahill to provide Sunderland with a new year boost as he attempts to drag his club up the Premier League table.

It is understood the Black Cats are in talks with New York Red Bulls over a winter loan move for the 33-year-old Australia international. Cahill, who scored 68 goals in 278 appearances during his eight seasons at Everton before moving to the United States last summer, would certainly be welcomed by Sunderland fans if a deal could be struck after proving something of a thorn in their side over the years.

Tim Cahill, his Everton story in pictures Jul 24 2012 View He scored seven times in 14 outings against the Black Cats for the Merseysiders, but was also the man who denied them a trip to the 2004 FA Cup final with a semi-final winner for Millwall at Old Trafford. Cahill has registered just once in 12 MLS appearances for the Red Bulls to date, but O’Neill, who has seen summer signing Steven Fletcher score eight of his side’s 21 Premier League goals to date, is keen to increase his options. The Black Cats had eased clear of the relegation zone with a run of three wins in four league outings culminating in the sensational Boxing Day defeat on champions Manchester City. They were denied a chance to extend that sequence by a concerted Tottenham fightback, although they will approach the end of 2012 with a measure of confidence restored.

Source: liverpool_echo