SUNDERLAND are ready to pull the plug on a scheme to sign Djibril Cisse from Marseille for �12million. (Mirror)The French striker joined the Black Cats on loan last summer with a view to a permanent deal.

SUNDERLAND are ready to pull the plug on a scheme to sign Djibril Cisse from Marseille for �12million. (Mirror)

The French striker joined the Black Cats on loan last summer with a view to a permanent deal.

But the loan is about to end and the Cats have to give an answer on whether they want to complete the full-time switch in the next few days.

Cisse's fixed fee was agreed in advance when Roy Keane signed the former Liverpool attacker, with the French giants ready to put him on the market if Sunderland do not take up the option.

The deadline was set before the end of the season to give Marseille extra time to bring in a replacement for Cisse - but he has not scored enough goals to keep Sunderland out of a relegation scrap and they are set to cancel the deal.

Sunderland have their eye on �5m-rated Reading winger Stephen Hunt.

Tottenham are also keen on the Republic of Ireland ace, but Sunderland are keeping tabs as they look to rebuild after their disappointing season.