SUNDERLAND boss Martin O’Neill has hit back at reports linking midfielder Kieran Richardson with a switch to Arsenal.

The transfer window is only a few days old but already speculation has been flying with Richardson’s name being bandied about as a possible target for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Richardson (pictured right) has had a mixed time of it during his spell on Wearside.

However, that could be blamed on the positional switching he experienced under previous Black Cats boss Steve Bruce, as the player alternated between midfield and left-back.

The speculation surrounding Richardson’s future has mounted.

However, O’Neill – the Premier League’s manager of the month for December – was quick to insist no one from the Emirates Stadium has been in touch about the player’s availability – and as things stand he is staying put.

He said: “Arsenal have not been in touch about Kieran, I don’t know anything about it.

“I spoke to our chief executive and she confirmed there has not been any talks at all. There has not been anybody in touch.

“I will keep players informed about what’s happening, but I do not want a rush of players leaving the football club.

“I would rather think about stabilising things here and hopefully we can push on from there.

“I know this is the month where lots of things are mentioned.

“We will be linked with players and other clubs will be linked with our players – but we are just hanging in there.”

Another player to be linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light Stephane Sessegnon, bought during last year’s January window.