Sunderland will go into this week's game against Reading finding themselves linked with Royals' players past and present.
The latest weekend of rumours has suggested Reading and Ireland winger Stephen Hunt could be on his way to Sunderland in the January transfer window, while the Black Cats have also been linked with Reading's Irish striker Kevin Doyle – former team-ma
te of Roy O'Donovan when both were at Cork City.
Top sport stories...-
Watch the goal that never was... SAFC video highlights.-
Collins: We'll fight to the death.-
Keane looks on bright side.-
Latest transfer rumours.Another player being touted as a potential Sunderland target is ex-Reading skipper Steve Sidwell, who has been used only sparingly by Chelsea.
And there's a Chelsea connection with another rumoured target, Crewe defender Dan Woodards, 24-year-old right back and a former trainee at Stamford Bridge who joined Crewe from Exeter for £30,000 in February this year.
The most fanciful suggestion has unsettled striker Nicolas Anelka coming to the Stadium of Light because Sunderland would consider matching his £85,000 per week wages.
What we do know is that Sunderland will not be going for Blackburn's out-of-favour frontman Jason Roberts – Keane confirming that he was not a player he was pursuing.
And the Echo revealed on Saturday that Roy Keane will listen to offers for experienced players David Connolly, Graham Kavanagh, Stan Varga, Marton Fulop and Stephen Wright as he looks to generate more funds for the transfer window.
