Bardsley rumours will not cease

We were linked with him in 2007's January transfer window too - before he chose to go to Aston Villa. Now, after a spell with Sheffield United in the Championship, we've been linked with the Man Utd right-back again.

A £1.5 million deal is said to be in the works for the Salford-born defender.

Meanwhile, Michael Chopra will miss Sunderland's game against Birmingham through suspension and Kieran Richardson has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.