Sunderland will assess ex-Arsenal defender, before deciding on contract offer

Eboue has been training at the Academy of Light this week, with Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce open-minded over whether the 32-year-old could join the Black Cats in their bid to remain in the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast international has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Galatasary at the end of last season, but has experience of Premier League football after more than 200 appearances for Arsenal.

After Sunderland's efforts to bring in a new right-back during the January transfer window ultimately hit a dead-end, Allardyce agreed to take a closer look at Eboue, although his chances of earning a permanent contract will depend on his fitness.

Allardyce said: "Emmanuel Eboue has got a fantastic pedigree at Arsenal and if he's got the capabilities of producing that here, then we'll assess that over the next few weeks.

"He's obviously not played for a long time, so our aim is to see if we can get him fit and then see if he produces the sort of performance that benefit us.

"If not, he won't be taking him on.

"If he can, then it puts Billy (Jones) and DeAndre (Yedlin) under pressure."

Despite the end of the transfer window, Sunderland are still able to sign any free agents available.

Sunderland only registered 23 out of a maximum of 25 senior players with the Premier League after the transfer deadline - leaving two spaces free for possible Bosman additions.