The 13million-plus Ghana international striker is currently with United Emirates side Al-Ain on a season-long loan deal after securing a shock move away from the Stadium of Light in September. That agreement was made three months before O'Neill succeeded Steve Bruce, the man who had signed the 26-year-old Gyan from French side Rennes barely 12 months earlier, and although there was talk of a return to Wearside in January, the lucrative agreement between the two clubs did not allow for that. However, Gyan has two years remaining on his contract and while any decision on his future is yet to be finalised, O'Neill has suggested it may not lie with him.
He said: "The situation is, I believe it was a year-long loan for a start for which they had to pay us some money of the transfer fee which we paid in the first place, and that is still in existence. "There was some talk between all parties in January that didn't come to anything. I wasn't party to those conversations, although I was kept informed of them, of course. "I think it will be the end of the season before I can assess anything. "There has to be a willingness on behalf of all parties as well; you wouldn't really want somebody who is really unwilling to come back to the football club, if that's the case. "It's unfair of me to say that because it might not be the case, but it seems to be the message that's coming across." Sunderland might not have been in league action against Wolves this weekend had they managed to make the most of the FA Cup quarter-final replay they earned with a 1-1 draw at Everton, although a 2-0 defeat on Wearside ended their dreams for another season.
O'Neill said: "I must admit, I look with a bit of envy at the match this weekend between Liverpool and Everton. "I know how far we have come ourselves, so I don't know whether to be spurred by that there or to be in a state of deathliness." Central defender John O'Shea (calf) and strikers Nicklas Bendtner (back and hamstring) and Fraizer Campbell (knee) could return to contention. Full-back Phil Bardsley (groin) and midfielder Lee Cattermole (knee) remain doubts.
Terry Connor has no regrets about stepping out of the shadows to become interim manager at Wolves even though he accepts it could end his 13-year spell at Molineux. Connor has worked as an assistant and first-team coach under four different managers before he was given the chance to succeed the sacked Mick McCarthy until the end of the campaign. He is still searching for his first win, after eight games, but the 49-year-old said: "I knew what I was doing. I knew that (the danger of my future) when I took the challenge on. I knew that was the case. "It is kind of strange when people say your future rests on 13 games, after 13 years here, but I knew when I took over that would be the case and I welcome the challenge. "I've taken over until May 13. I'm a big boy, I know the score in football, I know what happens (if Wolves are relegated). I went in with my eyes wide open.
"People ask if it was the biggest risk I've ever taken and I say 'no' because I think I can do the job. How I am judged after the 13 games is down to the club and what they want to do in the future. "I felt ready to take on that challenge and I've enjoyed every minute. Whether I still have a job, you will have to ask the club." On-loan defender Sebastien Bassong will be unavailable through suspension. The Tottenham player has to serve a one-game ban after being red-carded for bringing down Theo Walcott during the 3-0 midweek home defeat by Arsenal. Christophe Berra is likely to deputise if he recovers from an ankle knock. Connor will assess the fitness of midfielder Dave Edwards (hamstring) before finalising his line-up.
Sunderland V Wolverhampton - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
