Kelly to take step up? - December 7, 2000
The odds on Irish international 'keeper Alan Kelly returning to the Premiership are shortening, with Sunderland joining Leicester on the interested list.
Kelly is unhappy at Blackburn, where he is now third choice behind Brad Friedel (!!!) and John Filan (!).
The Preston-born 'keeper joined Blackburn from Sheffield United for £750,000 just eighteen months ago but is one of a number of Irishmen who finds himself ostracised under the Graham Souness regime.
Sunderland boss Peter Reid needs top-class cover for Danish international Thomas Sorenson - and assistant manager Adrian Heath has put forward Kelly's name.
Sunderland fans will have fond memories of Kelly's international colleague Shay Given, who had an outstandingly successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light - and Kelly is currently keeping Given out of the Irish team.
Meanwhile, another Irish international, Steve Staunton, will complete his free-transfer signing for Aston Villa today, subject to the results of a medical.