Pascal Chimbonda wants to stay with Sunderland.

The £5million French full-back, 29, has been linked with a January move to Lyon having been frozen out following two run-ins with hardline Black Cats boss Roy Keane.

But despite not figuring in the Mackems’ last four games the former Spurs defender is determined to battle his way back into the first-team reckoning.

Chimbonda’s agent Willie McKay said: “There’s been no contact from Lyon.

“Roy Keane picks the team but Pascal’s quite happy at Sunderland and I believe he’ll stay in the Premier League.”