Fergie backs O’Neill in Black Cats move

MARTIN O’NEILL was deep in negotiations with Sunderland yesterday as Alex Ferguson issued a ringing endorsement of his credentials.

The 59-year-old Irishman met Black Cats chairman Ellis Short for a second time in an attempt to thrash out a deal after positive talks on Thursday night, albeit talks which broke up without an agreement in place.

It is understood slow progress is being made as the fine details are discussed and that negotiations could continue into the weekend.