Sunderland are in talks to bring New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill back to the Barclays Premier League.
Press Association Sport understands that discussions are ongoing over a proposed loan move which would see the former Everton star line up for the Black Cats during the MLS off-season.
Manager Martin O'Neill is keen to boost his attacking options during the January transfer window, and while Cahill's addition would represent a temporary solution, it would certainly add firepower to a squad which has rallied in recent weeks, but is still too close to the wrong end of the table.
The 33-year-old Australia international Cahill 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.
