The veteran former Everton and Scotland midfielder was in the process of linking up with the Championship side when Alex McLeish walked out of the City Ground.
As far as Sunderland are concerned, McFadden has barely featured in terms of first-team action.
He appeared in three games for the Black Cats as a substitute before choosing to move on last month
Martin O’Neill: “We let James’s situation run past the transfer deadline, and I think he went down to Nottingham Forest before McLeish departed.
“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.”