MON to talk transfers with Short

O’Neill plans Short talks over transfer activity as injuries bite
Published on Wednesday 4 January 2012 10:30


Martin O’Neill plans to discuss January transfer window signings with owner Ellis Short over the next few days as he looks to head off a potential injury crisis derailing Sunderland’s revival, writes Graeme Anderson.


The new manager has been at pains to point out, since his arrival, that he took the Sunderland job without ever asking a single question about potential transfer budgets.

But he feels that the raft of injuries Sunderland have sustained over the festive period means it is imperative the club considers loan or permanent signings in order to bolster a stretched squad.

As well as long-term injured Craig Gordon and Fraizer Campbell, Sunderland have fitness concerns over Michael Turner, Keiren Westwood, Titus Bramble, Phil Bardsley, Seb Larsson, Kieran Richardson and Jack Colback.

And O’Neill said: “I will speak to the owner in the next couple of days and we will have a look at it.

“I never took this job on the promise of the money we might have to spend in January.

“But the injuries are a concern to us, especially given the fact that, once February arrives, you have to deal with the squad you have from there on in.”