Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia revealed that Newcastle made an enquiry for Kieran Richardson during the transfer window. "There was a cheeky enquiry, but it was never any more than that," Sbragia told the Sunderland Echo. "To be honest, we've had quite a few cheeky enquiries over the months that never got anywhere near getting off the ground and that was one of them.

"Clubs are entitled to try it on if they want to, but I've made it clear that I want to keep my very best players at the club."