http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...lubs-watching-sunderland-s-mcfadden-1-5356524 CLUBS from both sides of the border are keeping a watching brief on James McFadden, with the Scotâs short-term deal at Sunderland expiring today. McFadden penned a three-month contract at the Stadium of Light in October, to give him the chance to prove he was worthy of a longer term stay at the club after featuring only eight times for Everton last season. But the 29-year-old has made just three appearances from the bench under Martin OâNeill, with a 30-minute outing in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool providing his only notable opportunity to make an impression. McFaddenâs contract expires today and he is unlikely to be offered a new one, unless OâNeill considers his squad is too thin to dispense with the Scotland internationalâs services. If Sunderland do opt to release McFadden, then there is interest both from the Championship and the SPL for the former Birmingham forward. McFadden is thought to be on the radar of Nottingham Forest boss Alex McLeish after the pair worked together at international level. And both Aberdeen and Motherwell, who were interested in signing McFadden before his arrival at Sunderland, are also in the running. Aberdeen were prepared to offer McFadden a contract following his release by Everton last May, while the versatile frontman trained with former club Motherwell during pre-season. McFaddenâs chances of remaining on Wearside though may well depend on OâNeillâs transfer activity before Thursdayâs 11pm deadline, with the Sunderland boss hoping to add Swanseaâs Danny Graham to his squad as a minimum. Although McFadden has made little impression during his brief stint at the Stadium of Light, OâNeill is conscious that his squad is not the biggest in the Premier League. The Black Cats have managed to bring in Alfred NâDiaye and Kader Mangane, but OâNeill has also parted with the services of David Meyler, Fraizer Campbell and Ji Dong-won. Ahmed Elmohamady was brought back from his loan spell at Hull City to make up the numbers for last weekendâs win at Wigan, with the Egyptian taking his place alongside McFadden on the Sunderland bench. And although Danny Rose, Lee Cattermole and Carlos Cuellar are close to returning from injury, there remains the prospect of Elmohamady returning to Hull. Reckon we'll keep him on to keep up the numbers or replace him for the rest of the season? He's clearly useless but is there anybody as good as him, available for loan now and has his versatility?
I'd keep him on just in case of an injury crisis, he's doing no harm as an option and he actually had a few decent touches when he came on against WHU, albeit against an already beaten team.
He was a mistake anyway let him go and free up the wages or get someone in who will actually play and not be fit enough for the first 3 ****ing month he is with us.
