Newcastle United had made a cheeky offer for Kieran Richardson in the January transfer windows. The Toon reportedly made an enquiry about the availability of the former Man Utd player.

It is understood that the offer was very quickly knocked back by Sunderland, unprepared to sell to their biggest rivals.

"There was a cheeky enquiry, but it was never any more than that," Sbragia told the Sunderland Echo.

"To be honest, we've had quite a few cheeky enquiries over the months that never got anywhere near getting off the ground and that was one of them.

"Clubs are entitled to try it on if they want to, but I've made it clear that I want to keep my very best players at the club."