Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia admits they would've loved to have signed Manchester United defender Jonny Evans last summer.

Sbragia revealed: "He was one of the main reasons we stayed up last season. We loved him here but unfortunately we were never going to get him. We were kidding ourselves on to think we might be able to get him.

"I know Roy and Niall were very interested in keeping him here. Our best chance was maybe to get him on loan again but Vidic was injured at United and he got his chance. I'd like him to be here but he loves it there.

"When he came to Sunderland he lived here. A lot of players come into a loan situation, spend two days here and three days back at their club. Jonny bought totally into Sunderland while he was here that shows how grown up he is.''