Ireland’s McGeady in sights of Sunderland

Sunderland are moving ahead with plans to pair Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady with his international colleague James McClean at the Stadium of Light this season.

Martin O’Neill’s interest in the ex-Celtic flyer has not cooled, despite a poor Euro 2012. The fact that another Sunderland target, Ricky van Wolfswinkel of Portugal’s Sporting, is at the centre of a three-way tug of war between Napoli, Man Utd and Liverpool will focus minds of Wearside.

McGeady is keen to move to the Premier League from Spartak Moscow, with a fee of around €7m mentioned.

Meanwhile, Wolves have denied they have any intention of signing former Ireland defender Stephen Carr.

The 36-year-old’s Birmingham City contract expires this week and Carr admits he is clueless as to whether he will be playing for Birmingham next season.

The Dubliner does not want to retire but with $90m of owner Carson Yeung’s assets frozen in Hong Kong and a court order that prevents him travelling to Britain the club is in turmoil.

“We’ve spoken about it [a contract], but there’s no news, I’m still waiting to see what’s going to happen,” said Carr.

“I haven’t been offered anything and I don’t know if I will be offered anything. There are a lot of ifs and buts, I suppose, with what’s going on at the club and in Hong Kong.”

Burnley are reported to be interested in signing Carr if the Blues do not offer him a new deal.