Stewart Donald admits transfer interest in Ched Evans and why Sunderland didn't sign him

The controversial forward, who is on loan at Fleetwood Town from Sheffield United, was linked with a move to the club as the Black Cats sought a new signing.

Donald revealed to Roker Rapport that he had a conversation with Jack Ross about signing him, but that the Sunderland boss said no.

However, Donald insists it was for 'footballing reasons' rather than because of a backlash from fans over the potential arrival of Evans.

He said: "I know (Sheffield United manager) Chris Wilder well and I phoned him directly and asked him 'who you got, who you looking to move out because we need a striker'.

"He gave me a couple of names of people out there and I mentioned him (Evans), and we said to Sheffield United that we may be be interested.

"Jack talked it through and again it was a footballing decision. We got down the avenue of having a conversation and then Jack said 'I think we want to go in a different direction, so no thank you'.

"So that's where we got to."