Sunderland keen on Craig Gardner stay

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill wants to keep unhappy defender Craig Gardner at the Stadium of Light, despite reports that Gardner is suffering from homesickness. The player is still settling since his 5m GBP move from Birmingham in the summer.

The former Aston Villa man has sparked up a good partnership with Seb Larsson in the Sunderland midfield, but reportedly told O'Neill that he misses his hometown of Birmingham.


"I want Craig to stay at this football club.'' Martin O'Neill told the Sunderland Echo. "I don't think he is unhappy, but I do think he has felt a little homesick.


"But the crowd have given him a great reception in the last two games, and that was great for him. It will have given him a big boost. And, like most players, if you are playing games, then it helps enormously.


"Perhaps it didn't happen for him here straight away and maybe homesickness had something to do with it, but he is starting to play well now."