SUNDERLAND boss Martin O’Neill admits the last day of the transfer window is a necessary evil he has to put up with as an offer was tabled to sign Bolton striker Kevin Davies ahead of today’s 11pm deadline.

Although no confirmation was forthcoming of how much the Black Cats had offered for the veteran striker, it is believed a touch of brinkmanship might be being played by the Lancashire side, whose own valuation is understood to be around £1million with Sunderland’s significantly lower.

A halfway house figure might be reached, but it could also depend on whether Bolton boss Owen Coyle can land a direct replacement for Davies with the Trotters tabling a bid for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

Some might question the wisdom of signing a player said to be in the twilight of his career

O’Neill insists his young team do need an experienced head or two to get them through the rest of this season and beyond, saying: “I could do without it (the last day of the window).

“However, it is there and just looking at some of the problems we have in front of us, maybe we should be more active than passive.

“As I said two weeks ago, mainly, you would be looking at

shorter terms because the players who you think could make a massive difference to the football club in the long term here, I don’t think this would be the time to be looking at it.

“We have made the offer for Kevin Davies and if we could agree something I would be delighted if he decided to come.

“I am having a look at some other options as well, but the plan is to just get a little bit of experience in to help us along.

“We have made an offer for Kevin. I know his contract is up at the end of the season, but if he was going to try to make a move to us or someone else you would be looking to offer him a year or a year and a half.