Smith out, Smith in?

Kevin Smith today began his second loan spell of the campaign, joining good ol’ Alex Rae’s side Dundee, who play in the Scottish First Division.

After the signing of Anthony Stokes yesterday, it meant that Sunderland had David Connolly, Daryl Murphy, Jon Stead, Chris Brown, Dwight Yorke, Stephen Elliot along with Smith and now Stokes all vying for a place upfront.

Smith has therefore opted to move again for first team football, with another striker expected to be offloaded before the transfer window closes, with Jon Stead and/or Chris Brown expected to be told where to go by Keano.

But that hasn’t stopped rumours circulating regarding Keane approaching his old club again for Alan Smith.

Similarly, competition for places upfront at Man Utd is equally fierce, if on a smaller scale in quality of course, with Henrik Larsson’s arrival only further lessening Smith’s chances of football at Old Trafford.

Far from me to report unfounded rumours….cough cough… but there does however seem to be something in this. Several reliable sources, who reported our interest in Smith, along with Cardiff, several months ago, have suggested that Keane is close to a loan deal, and Smith is ready to finally agree to a move after months of frustration following a lack of first team football.

The only sticking point would be if any Premiership clubs register an interest, though Keane has this week proved that beating those clubs to the signature of a player is not beyond his powers.

Meanwhile, Rory Delap completed a permanent move to Stoke today, we wish him all the best in his recovery from a broken leg.