Last Updated: Sun, 30 Dec 2012 11:33
Sunderland are in talks to bring New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill back to the Premier League for a six-week loan spell.
Discussions are ongoing between Black Cats officials and executives from Major League Soccer over a proposed loan move which would see the former Everton star line up for Sunderland during the MLS off-season.
Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill has been an admirer of the 33-year-old for many years and is keen to boost his attacking options during the January transfer window.
It would only be a temporary solution but would buy O'Neill some time as he tries to reignite the attacking side of his team who have come to rely heavily on summer signing Steven Fletcher's goals.
The Australia international scored 68 goals in 278 appearances during his eight seasons at Everton before moving to the United States last summer, where he has registered just once in 12 outings.
He proved something of a scourge to Sunderland in particular during his time in England, finding the net seven times in 14 appearances against them for the Toffees and also denying them an FA Cup Final appearance in 2004 with a semi-final winner for Millwall.
However, his goal return in his last season at Everton and during his first campaign in the US has not been great while David Moyes' lack of interest in taking him on loan suggests he feels he may not have that much still to offer.
Cahill has scored three goals in his last 49 club starts for Everton and the Red Bulls.
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