Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is eager to re-sign James McFadden.

O'Neill did not stand in his way when the then Nottingham Forest manager Alex McLeish showed an interest and was ready to offer the 29-year-old a long-term deal.

However, McLeish has now left the City Ground - so a move back to Sunderland for McFadden could be back on the cards.

O'Neill told the Sunderland Echo: "We let James' situation run past the transfer deadline and I think he went down to Nottingham Forest before McLeish departed.

"But obviously events have changed that situation and I don't know what's happened since then. I'll speak to the agent though and see where we stand."