Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is keen to add Australian midfielder Tim Cahill to his side during the MLS off-season, according to reports.

GettyImagesTim Cahill is a Premier League veteran

Cahill, 33, scored 68 goals in 278 appearances during his eight seasons at Everton before moving to the United States to join the New York Red Bulls.

So far this season, O'Neill's men have scored 21 goals in 20 league games, with eight of them coming from summer signing Steven Fletcher, and they are currently in 13th position - only five points clear of the drop zone.

In need of more firepower, a proposed loan move would Cahill join the Black Cats for a few months to maintain his fitness in a similar vein to Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan’s moves to Arsenal and Everton in recent years.