Keano, Deano, Quinninio, Arca

Its been a hectic week at the Stadium of Light.

Reading have had their £1.2 million offer for Dean Whitehead turned down although the indications are that they haven't given up the chase yet and may well come back with an increased offer.

Julio Arca has been quoted in the press talking about Espanyol and his love of La Liga but it seems they only want to take him on a season long loan and can't afford the transfer fee. That would make no sense to Sunderland as he enters the last year of his contract. Niall Quinn for his part despite his declared dislike of "foreigners" in the team is reported to be encouraging Arca to stay in the absence of a manager.

The new managers job has been widely linked with Martin O'Neill but he has turned down an offer from the club. The new boys in the frame seem to be Roy Keane and Sam Allardyce.

On the betting exchanges O'Neill remains clear favourite