Black Cats seal Evans loan deal

ROY KEANE picked Manchester United rookie Jonny Evans for a starring role with Sunderland — after bumping into him at the pictures.

Black Cats boss Keane has landed Northern Ireland’s highly-rated teenage defender on loan until the end of the season.

And Keane has also applied gentle persuasion with former boss Alex Ferguson to line up United right-back Phil Bardsley in a similar deal as he looks to strengthen his defence for an all-out promotion assault.

Left-sided centre-back Evans, 19 next Wednesday, has been on loan with United feeder club Royal Antwerp, but will watch Sunderland’s home game against second-placed Preston today before completing the move.

Keane said: ‘‘We’re looking to finalise it over the next few days. Jonny is coming to the game and he’ll maybe start training with us on Tuesday after the match at Leicester on Monday.

‘‘He’s a top, young player. He’s hungry, he’s a tough lad who comes from a good background and a good family.

‘‘I think he’s got a great chance of a great career at United, but sometimes it’s good for a player to go on loan — and I think Sunderland is a great club to come to on loan.’’

Keane added: ‘‘Our fans are demanding, it’s a big stadium and I hope he will come and enjoy it. I think he will be a great help to us in terms of having a good second half to the season.

‘‘I had an idea that some of the lads who’ve been abroad on loan from United would be coming back, and I’m absolutely delighted to get him.’’

Bardsley, 21, played alongside Keane with United and is thinking over a switch to the Stadium of Light after a loan spell at Rangers turned sour following a training ground bust-up with Ibrox boss Paul Le Guen.

Keane said: ‘‘I spoke to Bardo on Wednesday and he came up and had a look around the training ground. It obviously didn’t work out for him at Rangers — I think he had a fall-out with the manager there.

‘‘I’ve left it with him. He’s having a few days to think things over and I’m hoping to have news on that over the weekend.’’

But Keane has again denied reports that United striker Giuseppe Rossi, whose loan with Newcastle runs out this weekend, will be linking up with Sunderland. Keane enquired about the Italian Under-21 star, but said yesterday: ‘‘You can talk about Rossi all you want — he’s not coming to Sunderland.’’

But Keane is aiming to make up to four permanent signings in next month’s transfer window.

He said: ‘‘I’m hoping to bring in players who will benefit the club for the next few years. We’re looking to bring in the two lads from United on loan, but the other three or four I’m looking at will hopefully be here a long, long time.’’

Keane has sent ten players out on loan this season, but insists he expects most to return to Wearside.

However, he has spoken to old foe Mick McCarthy at Wolves as the former Ireland boss explores a permanent deal for on-loan Sunderland defender Neill Collins.

Keane said: ‘‘I spoke to Mick McCarthy — he’s the only manager who has been in touch in terms of looking to take Neill permanently.

‘‘The other lads are all due back when their loans expire next week, and that includes Jon Stead because there’s been no contact from Derby.’’

Keane admits the hardest part of his job is telling players they are dropped.

And he confirmed he had a knock on his door from Dwight Yorke, who this week revealed that Keane told him some of his performances weren’t up to scratch.

Keane said: ‘‘Sometimes I feel players need a rest. Sometimes I don’t say too much to them, and sometimes they will come and see you.

‘‘I’m sure they are pretty annoyed and upset — I would be worried if they weren’t! Yorkie mentioned it the other day when he was on about himself.

‘‘But you’re looking for them to react with their feet — not with their mouths.’’

Sunderland are seeking a fifth successive home win this afternoon and revenge against a Preston side who thrashed them 4-1 at Deepdale in October.

The sides also meet there next weekend in the third round of the FA Cup.

But Keane’s thoughts are all on today’s game and he wants his side to turn home turf into a fortress in the Old Trafford mould.

He said: ‘‘It’s very important that you develop that mentality. Our supporters have a big part to play in that. We had 40,000 here the other day for the Leeds game. That was fantastic. Now we just want to get up to that 49,000 mark. That would be nice.’’