Sunderland boss Roy Keane has confirmed he has received an enquiry regarding striker David Connolly, according to reports in the North-East. The Blues are widely believed to be the club interested in the 30-year-old Irish international.

Town were linked with a move for the much-travelled striker yesterday, with Sunderland said to want around £1 million for the former Watford, Feyenoord, Wigan, Wimbledon, Wolves, West Ham and Leicester City frontman.

The Blues are unlikely to want to pay anything like that for Connolly and we understand that Town would prefer to take the Willesden-born frontman on loan until the end of the season, perhaps seeing him as a player who could make a similar impact to Franny Jeffers this time last season.

Connolly, who cost the Black Cats £1.4 million in August 2006, is out of favour at the Stadium of Light, having made only one start and three sub appearances this season.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have signed Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans on loan until the end of the season. Evans, who spent much of last year with the Wearsiders, has been linked with a short-term move to the Blues on a number of occasions.

Academy midfielder Liam Barrett has left Playford Road and has signed for Ridgeons League side Bury Town.

Former Blue Martin Brittain has joined Walsall, having left Carlisle after a short-term deal earlier in the season.

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