Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Black Cats in Baines talks

23 Jul 2007 - 11:32:04

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Reports suggest that Sunderland have been given permission by Wigan Athletic to speak to left-back Leighton Baines.

It is believed that a permanent deal will go through this week if the England Under-21 international can agree personal terms with the Black Cats.

Newcastle United, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with Baines over the last 12 months even though he still has two years left on his current deal at the JJB Stadium.

Sunderland may have to pay in the region of £6million for the 22-year-old who has made over 150 appearances for Wigan.

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Roy Keane was disappointed with his side's display in the friendly defeat at Championship new boys Scunthorpe United.

The Iron won the game 1-0 and Keane said: "When you go a goal down like we did after just a couple of minutes, no matter who the opposition is, it's going to be a long afternoon.

"We started slowly in a lot of games last year and if you do that in the Premier League then it's going to be a very long season for us.

"We need to start a bit quicker, and that is really the only thing I would be critical of.

"Some days you just have to write off. We had plenty of chances to get back into the game and Scunthorpe had a few chances too.

"The players will be disappointed, as are the staff and myself. But in football you just have to move on, whether you win, lose or draw."