Jonny Evans enjoyed two separate spells on loan at the Stadium of Light, and could potentially make a return should Dick Advocaat fail to land his primary defensive target. The Chronicle believes that Sunderland could potentially make a grab for the Manchester United man - although such a deal would likely set them back at least £10,000,000. The Black Cats' bid to scoop Zenit centre back Nicolas Lombaerts looked a done deal late last week, but negotiations have temporarily stalled with the St. Petersburg sign. Although confidence reportedly remains high that the transfer will be completed, the delay has led to links with alternative signings. Although hardly the most farfetched signing in the world, Evans must be regarded as something of a long shot for Sunderland. Other rumoured suitors include Tottenham and Everton, a pair of teams for whom the promise of a higher league position (and European football, in the case of the former) is a far more realistic possibility. There's no question that, should Advocaat secure the signing of Lombaerts, all talk of an Evans return will die down. However, the Northern Irishman's return would be a very welcome one, given the excellent form he showed during his earlier spells on Wearside.
