Sunderland boss Roy Keane admits he's desperate to beat all competition to bring Manchester United defensive pair Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson back to the Stadium of Light in January.

Keane told the Shields Gazette: "Some players go out on loan and just look to enjoy themselves, but Jonny and Danny came here in a pressure situation when we were chasing promotion and they handled it really well - really throwing themselves into it.

"It was a nightmare giving them back, I have to say, because they'd settled in so well.

"But they were good professionals, hard trainers out on the pitch, half-decent with the media side and ready to put everything in.

"Credit to Jonny and Danny and the other lads in the dressing room for making them involved.

"Danny was never on a losing team in his time here and I could understand if he was dying to come back - he probably thinks there's a win bonus guaranteed every week!"