James McCarthy rejects Sunderland

Everton ace James McCarthy will reportedly stay put with the club after he turned down advances from Premier League strugglers Sunderland.

The Black Cats are in desperate need of reinforcements this month, and this alerted them over the availability of McCarthy.

According to The Times, the Republic of Ireland international has snubbed a switch to the Stadium of Light, and the Toffees will no longer be looking to sell the player.

McCarthy has had limited first-team action under Ronald Koeman this season, but he is prepared to fight for his place in the second half of the campaign.

The former Wigan man is currently behind the likes of Gareth Barry, Tom Davies, Morgan Schneiderlin in the pecking order, and his situation will only get worse once Idrissa Gueye returns from AFCON duty.