Striker set to stay

Sunderland seem set to hang on to striker Kenwyne Jones after knocking back an offer from Liverpool to take him on loan for the season.

Reports on Monday suggested the 25-year-old was due for a medical on Merseyside in the next 48 hours before completing a loan switch to Anfield for the rest of the season as Reds boss Rafa Benitez searches for attacking reinforcements.

However, sources at Sunderland have now told Press Association Sport there is "not a chance'' a loan deal will go through and the Black Cats are apparently only interested in securing a big fee for the Trinidad and Tobago international.

Chairman Niall Quinn says, publicly at least, that he is desperate to keep Jones at the Stadium of Light, as he told the Sunderland Echo.

"Kenwyne Jones knows exactly what I think of him. I love him as a footballer," he said.

"He's got the complete package and if things work out for him in the second half of the season, he's vital to us.

"Behind the scenes agents may be setting up things with football clubs, but it happens today. We don't want to get rid of anybody at the football club."

There were reports over the weekend that Liverpool were keen to swap out-of-favour Ryan Babel for Jones but the unhappy Dutch star is not thought to be keen on a move to Wearside.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.