Martin O'Neill expects Abdou Mangane loan deal

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that the club are close to signing defender Abdou Mangane on a season-long loan.

The 29-year-old is currently plying his trade for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, though a loan agreement is expected soon.

O'Neill also admitted that he is hoping to bring in more players along with Mangane before the end of the January transfer window.

"I'm hoping that he's [Mangane] making his way over at this minute," said the former Aston Villa manager.

"I'm not sure that anything has been absolutely and utterly completed, but it would be a loan until the end of the season.

"Of course, we have a number of positions we would like to try to fill between now and the end of January, and I'm hoping something might materialise. But there's a long bit of distance to go yet."

Mangane will be the Black Cats' second January signing following the arrival of Alfred N'Diaye on Wednesday from Bursaspor.