.20120130. O'Neill ready for late deals Gardner will not be allowed to leave after injuries hit squad Last Updated: January 30, 2012 4:27pm . Bolton striker Kevin Davies is just one of several targets for Martin O'Neill ahead of transfer deadline day as the Sunderland manager attempts to sign cover for injuries. The Stadium of Light boss, who revealed the club have had a bid for Davies rejected, has not given up on that proposed deal. O'Neill is also considering dipping into the loan market after sending Wes Brown and David Vaughan for scans on injuries picked up during Sunday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Middlesbrough. Skipper Lee Cattermole, who missed the clash with his former club due to a hamstring problem, joined the pair as O'Neill prepared for a busy final day or so of the January window. "We are looking at a number of aspects - it would be ridiculous if we weren't looking at them." Martin O'Neill Quotes of the week He said: "I am a bit concerned, because we have a few problems to overcome. Concern "We have a couple of injury problems, just when you thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, that we were getting a few people back. "Then suddenly, you play a game, you lose a couple of players and you are less than 36, 37 hours away from transfer deadline. "As I have often said here, which has always been my concern, on 1st February, that's it, so we might have to look at some sort of loans." The recruitment of a striker was already a possibility with Nicklas Bendtner sidelined with a fractured nose, and Davies has been in the Black Cats' sights for several days despite Bolton boss Owen Coyle's hopes of hanging on to the 34-year-old. Injuries to Brown and Vaughan have increased the scope of Sunderland's need, as O'Neill admitted: "We are looking at a number of aspects - it would be ridiculous if we weren't looking at them. Interest "It does present us with a problem with the games and we still need some points on the board." O'Neill's fresh selection problems have ended any prospect of homesick midfielder Craig Gardner being allowed to return to the Midlands, with former club Birmingham among his suitors. The manager said: "No, no, no. We have got enough problems here trying to get a few players in at this minute to help alleviate the situation. "No, Craig won't be going anywhere now, and in fairness to the lad, he hasn't been making any big showing. "He knows there has been interest - we have kept him up to date with interest from down in the Midlands and maybe at some stage, we will think about that. "But now, we really need him and he is doing fine for us." .
Yes I reckon it's going to a busy 24 hours. Just hope we get the right sort of players. Keep the faith in MON!
I think the article prety well sums up the state of affairs, the injuries yesterday realy put the cat amongst the pidgeons, and we do need to buy, as yet nothing has been said, about how much MoN has got in the kitty, and that may be the over riding factor. so a interesting 30 or so hours to come. Fingers well and truly crossed.
wonder how many we will bring in tomorrow MoN is well known for leaving his business till the last day of the transfer market and thats whats going to happen again by the looks of it. Wonder who we are after though apart from Davies, maybe a player or two player oversea's? MoN had been a pundit on ITV before becoming manager so will of been at a few champions league games, maybe he fancies a player he seen whilst being a pundit? As for Gardner MoN is spot on we cannot afford to let anyone go this transfer window Anyone rekon we could be in for Carlos Cuellar?? Out of contract in summer I think, can play right back and central defence, ex MoN signing and will be available on the cheap, would bolster our defence
Instead of Davies for a couple of mil why not look at a top quality loan signing and use that cash to pay their wages? I'm sure their has to be a couple of good strikers who are not playing regularly for their parent clubs here or in Europe and would relish the opportunity of first team football. My thinking being we will not recoup any of what we spend on Davies so it is dead money anyway.
Cheers poolie didn't know of any, probably high wages but a couple of mil should do it and he gets a look at the PL. If we get a couple of places up the league there's a 3rd or so of his wages already.
Lukaku you mean 18 years old, Chelsea bought him for 13 million rising to 18 million dont think we have a hope in hell tbh, not even on loan, but i dont think he is really what we need right now, was great for Anderlecht, but has had limited playing time for Chelsea, but we already have Ji and Whickam as youngters, do we really need another who lets be honest, isnt proven in the PL (yet). But maybe thats the thinking behind Davies, 1-2 million, 800,000 per place in the PL, finish 3-4 places higher than we expected to, = 2-3 million in extra prize money = Davies fee paid, and he will be good for Ji/Whickam to learn from, Lukaku probably wont as he is younger than both.
Think Lukaku would be like Welbeck and Sturridge if he went out on loan and really turn it on, would suit all 3 parties I think then he could go back to Chelsea in the summer like Welbeck and Sturridge did to there clubs during the summer and challenge for a starting spot.
If its a choice between Lukaku and Davies, there is only 1 winner for me and its not the 34 year old. but its not me, its MON, Chelsea and Bolton, and i just cant see us even thinking about Lukuka at this moment in time. past transfer windows I have been all over them, getting excited/disappointed with who we are linked with and indeed signed, this transfer window i just cant be arsed for some reason, i think tomorrow will be when i keep checking up on stuff, but i am not even sure i will tomorrow. MON hasnt been here for 2 minutes, so i cant see us getting a wow signing, even on loan, so i just dont feel anything at all this January.
