Star torn between his two ‘homes’

Jul 1 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SUNDERLAND are hoping emotional ties bring Jonny Evans back to the Stadium of Light next season if Manchester United agree to let him leave.

But it seems increasingly unlikely they will get the chance to play on his affinity with the club this summer after Sir Alex Ferguson indicated he is hoping for a quiet off-season in the transfer market despite all the talk surrounding his club.

The Wearsiders would face competition from neighbours Newcastle United among others should the Northern Ireland international be made surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

No decision has been made on the 20-year-old’s future but Sunderland are hoping the links built up in two six-month loan spells in the North East will prove decisive if and when he is put on the market.

Evans has a strong bond with his current employers but has also developed an increasing affinity with the Black Cats since his first spell at the club began in January 2007.

The graceful defender’s girlfriend lives in the region and he is popular with the supporters – who have voted him their young player of the year two seasons running despite Evans only spending half a season at the Stadium of Light on both occasions.

The youngster has indicated in the past that he sees Sunderland – managed by his boyhood hero Roy Keane – as his “second club”. However, Evans has always been highly

thought of by the club which brought him and his family to the North West and Ferguson’s comments suggest the Red Devils are not about to give up on him yet.

“I wouldn’t think (we would buy) any more than one player,” Ferguson said of his summer transfer plans, though of course they may have to be rewritten should he fail to hang on to Real Madrid target Cristiano Ronaldo.

With Louis Saha’s future appearing to lie elsewhere and cover for Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez thin on the ground, that one player may have to be a forward. So the replacement for new Barcelona central defender Gerard Piqué will probably come from within the club’s ranks, with Evans the most likely candidate.

Sunderland, though, will be aware Evans has had his hopes dashed before by the Red Devils and Keane will be secretly hoping they push him to breaking point sooner rather than later so his successful partnership with Nyron Nosworthy can be reformed.

The Ulsterman returned to Manchester this time last year after his first successful stint on Wearside with high hopes of finally breaking into the Red Devils’ first team. But 12 months on he is still to make his Premier League debut for the champions.

Evans was restricted to just three appearances last term, his two starts coming in a League Cup humiliation at home to Coventry City and a Champions League dead rubber in Rome.

As a boyhood United supporter whose brother Corry plays for the club’s Academy side and whose family live in the area, Evans has plenty to keep him at Old Trafford for as long as he believes he has a chance of making it into the first team, so Sunderland will have to make contingency plans.

Rangers’ Carlos Cuellar and Paul Scharner of Wigan Athletic have been mentioned. Richard Dunne was also a target, although the Irishman seems certain to remain at Manchester City after the appointment of Mark Hughes at Eastlands.

Meanwhile, Preston North End are understood to be preparing a bid for Ross Wallace.

The left-sider was transfer-listed last season and although Keane has spoken glowingly of his attitude since – rewarding him with a 90-minute run-out at home to Arsenal on the final day of the season – the 23-year-old is still available.

Significantly, Preston manager Alan Irvine has denied any interest in Blackpool’s Kaspars Gorkss, but has not commented on Wallace.