The Screamer ... It's the talk of football

Roy Keane and Niall Quinn have earmarked the Republic of Ireland left winger as one of their summer targets if they are promoted to the Premiership.

Scroll down to read more:

Duff, 28, has had a miserable first season at St James' Park after turning down Tottenham when he left Stamford Bridge.

He has had two operations and struggled to reproduce the form that led to Chelsea paying Blackburn £17.5million for him in 2003.

Any hope Sunderland have of landing Duff depends on promotion, and they face a fight with Derby and Birmingham to land an automatic spot.

Newcastle would be reluctant to sell, but the chance of regaining the £5m they spent on Duff will have its attractions.

Henrik Pedersen has accused Bolton manager Sam Allardyce of going back on his word after being told he is to be axed.

Pedersen, 33, claims Allardyce had promised to give him a new one-year deal when his current contract ends in the summer.

But Pedersen said: He has now gone back on his word. I think that is totally disrespectful and shows a lack of class.

I've told Sam Allardyce that in my world a verbal agreement is as binding as a written agreement. The manager's answer was that it's like that everywhere else in English football and that he had a change of mind because I played so poorly in the first half against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

That's a poor excuse and I find it hard to believe the decision has been based on one half.'

Wales boss John Toshack could turn to Freddy Eastwood to boost his firepower after it was claimed that the Southend striker's grandfather is from Llanelli.

Welsh FA officials have spoken to Eastwood, 23, and are hoping to prove his eligibility. A source confirmed: The lad seems sure and we've been pursuing this for some time, but we have to make the necessary checks.'

Toshack admits he needs more attacking options. Eastwood has scored 65 goals since his Southend debut in October 2004.