Sources in the capital say the midfielder has not settled well with the Blues, where his opportunities have been limited after a Bosman move from Reading in May.

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But the chances of the Black Cats getting the Wandsworth-born playmaker would appear to be slim.

He has featured regularly for Chelsea this season, albeit mostly as a substitute.

The former Arsenal trainee, who will be 25 on Friday, came on as an 85th-minute substitute against Sunderland on Saturday in Chelsea's 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Yet contacts in the capital say that Sidwell is eager for more first team starts and may be prepared to move on quickly if Chelsea can't give him assurances that the opportunities will come his way.

Sunderland are not struggling for numbers in midfield, but Sidwell would add some punch and has the physique to enforce himself in the engine room.

Black Cats' boss Roy Keane has skipper Dean Whitehead, Grant Leadbitter, Dwight Yorke, Liam Miller and Dickson Etuhu as options in central midfield, while Kieran Richardson – on his way back from injury – would also like to press his claims in the position.

Despite having decent options already, Keane will be interested in any player that improves his squad and sees Sidwell as a target.

The player – signed by Jose Mourinho before his departure – insists he's enjoying the challenge at Stamford Bridge, where he has a host of proven international performers ahead of him in the pecking order, including England star Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien and Florent Malouda.

Sidwell said: "I knew it would be difficult to earn a regular place but I also knew it would be down to me to show, when I was given a chance, what I can do.

"I'm loving every minute of it."