James McFadden close to agreeing Sunderland deal

Former Motherwell and Everton striker James McFadden is set to sign for Sunderland, after spending the last three weeks training with the club.

McFadden, who has 48 caps for Scotland, spent six months with Everton last season after being released from Birmingham, making only seven appearance.

McFadden hasn’t played a competitive game since his contract at Goodison Park expired in May, and has not featured for Scotland since he damaged his cruciate ligament two years ago.

The forward spent the summer training with former club Motherwell in a bid to maintain match fitness, and has spent much of the last month training with Sunderland, taking part in a bounce match against Middlesborough on Thursday.

Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill is hopeful of agreeing a deal with the striker, saying that the striker was ‘keen’ on the move.

O’Neill added: “A fit, proper and tuned-in McFadden could help us.

“He said to me on Wednesday that he’s getting fitter every day. He played in the game yesterday.

“That won’t be a determining factor as to whether he comes here, but it will help him. I’m hoping that he can do something for us.”