Black Cats suffer Baines blow

Sunderland’s hopes of landing £6m Wigan full-back Leighton Baines appear to have been dashed.

The 22-year-old defender has been included in the Latics squad for tonight’s pre-season friendly at Blackpool after recovering from a virus.

Roy Keane was given permission to talk to the player earlier this week after having had three previous bids rejected.

However, as speculation mounted today that Everton – Baines was born in Liverpool – had tabled a counter-bid, Wigan’s official website, wiganlatics.co.uk, claimed he would not be heading for the Stadium of Light, and sources on Wearside have confirmed that is the case.