Sunderland vs Swansea City preview - O'Neill - Transfer market has been on back burner

Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by PA

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has admitted he is yet to launch a concerted bid to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.

Despite being linked with a series of names in recent weeks, O'Neill has insisted the winter market has not been a priority during his spell on Wearside to date, although he revealed last Friday that he intended to sit down with owner and chairman Ellis Short this week to discuss the way forward.

Those talks have now taken place, but the Ulsterman, while conscious that there will be no further opportunity this season to bolster the group of players he inherited from Steve Bruce, has revealed no substantive plan for a recruitment drive has been drawn up.

O'Neill said: "I have had conversations with Ellis. They have not really been business-like conversations.

"If something does materialise, then that would be great. I am conscious of just about everything around here, but my only concern is we arrive at February 1 and that's it.

"We will see what develops now in the next seven, eight, nine days. Have I actively been pursuing any particular target? I have to say to you the answer is no at the moment."

Defenders Wes Brown and Titus Bramble could return to the squad for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Swansea.

Brown has missed the last three games with a groin injury, while Bramble has been sidelined since suffering Achilles and calf problems during the 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day.

However, central defender Matt Kilgallon and midfielder Jack Colback (both ankle) are still out, and while striker Fraizer Campbell travelled to Chelsea last week after recovering from a second serious knee injury, he is still short of match fitness.

Loan signing Josh McEachran has revealed how England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard helped convince him to make the move to Swansea.

McEachran, 18, is in line to make his Swans debut as Brendan Rodgers' side make the long trip north, looking to build on an unbeaten run that stretches to five games following Sunday's magnificent 3-2 victory over Arsenal.

Rodgers had long made clear his intent to bring the England Under-21 international in until the end of the season, with the player opting for the move to south Wales over the likes of Aston Villa and Wigan as he looks to gain more first team experience having been under-used by Andre Villas-Boas.

And he revealed how Lampard, who himself had a spell on loan with Swansea in 1995, playing nine games and scoring a solitary goal, had told him nothing but good things about the club.

"I spoke to Frank (Lampard) a few times before I came down here, and he told me I would love it. He said it is a really nice place with great fans," he said.

"I watch Frank in training every day, he always talks to me and that. I aspire to be a player like him. I had a few options, but I thought Swansea would be the best club for me with their style of play. There were a few other clubs - Aston Villa had a big interest, I think Bolton were there and Wigan."

Fellow midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is pushing for a start after an excellent second-half performance in the win over Arsenal.

Rodgers has no new injury worries, but the game comes too soon for long-term absentee Alan Tate (broken leg) who made a second appearance for the reserves in midweek.