McFadden trials at Sunderland

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has revealed the club have taken James McFadden on an initial trial period.

The Northern Irishman boosted Sunderland’s attacking options with the signings of Steven Fletcher, Louis Saha and Adam Johnson this summer but feels further additions are needed, especially with the winger’s recent injury problems.

And, O’Neill has pinpointed the Scotland international as a suitable backup, adding McFadden has a lot to offer despite being released by Everton at the end of last season.

“He’s been here for a few days, he has no club, he’s out of contract and he’s been training with Motherwell for some time to get fit,” O’Neill told The Journal.

“We will see what happens, there have been no promises made on either side – after a day or two of working with me he may not fancy it here.

“He is a very decent footballer; he was allowed to leave Everton because they felt they had enough in those forward positions to think he wouldn’t figure.

“We have a smaller squad, so he is definitely worth looking at.”