Last Updated: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:01
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will attempt to complete a permanent deal with Spurs for on-loan star Danny Rose in January.
The England Under-21 international, on a season-long deal from Spurs, has been one of the Black Cats' best players in a difficult campaign so far and well-placed reports suggest he is keen to stay at the Stadium of Light permanently.
The 22-year-old was predominately used as a midfielder when he did get a chance at White Hart Lane, but O'Neill has played the versatile Rose at full-back this term and he has caught the eye.
And now the Sunderland boss wants to agree a permanent transfer for Rose when the transfer window reopens in the new year.
"There is that possibility," he said. "He wants to remain at the football club and that is encouraging.
"If he went back to Tottenham, particularly with (Benoit) Assou-Ekotto getting fit again, the chances are he wouldn't play that often, so it's certainly worth a look at anyway.
"He would love to stay here. He's got on terrifically well with everyone. The players have taken to him, everybody has taken to him. Most importantly, the crowd have taken to him and rightly so because he has been absolutely outstanding."
O'Neill would hope to pay around £4-5million at the very most for Rose but talks could be tricky with Spurs likely to want more for the talented youngster.
The Black Cats' boss believes Rose wants to stay in the north east and admits he could be used in his more natural midfield role moving forward.
He added in the Northern Echo: "I don't really want to shout it out because we want to try to keep him at the football club, but Danny has been splendid ever since he arrived.
"As his fitness improves moving forward, you feel as though he is very capable of playing in that (midfield) position."
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