Sunderland defender Santiago Vergini is keen to extend his stay on Wearside.

The 26-year-old Argentinian returned to the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan deal from Costa Rican side Sport Uruguay de Coronado in August last year and has made 35 appearances to date this season, the last of them a start in Sunday's 1-0 derby victory over Newcastle which provided a huge boost to the club's top-flight survival hopes.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "In the contract, it is written that if we stay in the Premier League, I can stay here for another two years. I feel very comfortable here, both at the club and outside the club, so I would be very keen to stay.

"The only downside is the climate and the weather, but even that has been good for the last few days!

"It has been very good to play regularly [this season] and I am very happy. I think with time, I have been able to adapt more to the style of play and also to my team-mates.

"Apart from the struggles we are going through in the league, I have felt very comfortable."