Newcastle United made a deadline day bid for Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail says Newcastle had an audacious £6million deadline-day bid turned down by Sunderland for Richardson.

The offer, which was made on the final day of the transfer window, was immediately rejected by Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn and manager Ricky Sbragia.

Toon manager Joe Kinnear was desperate to land a midfielder after cashing in £6m from Charles N'Zogbia's move to Wigan and he also failed with a bid for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.

Former Manchester United midfielder Richardson scored the winner in the Wear-Tyne derby in October and again caught the eye in his return to the Sunderland side for the draw at St James' Park on Sunday.

He is included in the Sunderland squad which will travel to Blackburn for Wednesday's FA Cup fourth-round replay.