Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is happy to take New York Red Bulls attacker Tim Cahill on a short-term loan.

Cahill, who is 33 and moved to the New York Red Bulls in the summer, does not offer a long-term fix for Sunderland.

However, he would be a major boost to O'Neill's midfield options in the short-term. The Wearsiders have held productive talks with the MLS club, says The Journal.

Cahill is apparently keen on a deal which would extend until February before the player returned to America for the start of a new season across the Atlantic. Such a deal is a situation the Black Cats boss would be happy to facilitate.

He said: "There are two things to it.

"One, if you felt a player was coming here who was going to be of value early but also can take the club along and improve the club I don't mind doing it. That I don't mind."