SUNDERLAND REJECT WAINWRIGHT BID

THIRD DIVISION strugglers Darlington have had a bid for Sunderland midfielder Neil Wainwright rejected, with The Premiership club's asking price believed to be a huge stumbling block for the Third Division side.

Wainwright enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Feethams last season and was prominent as the club reached Wembley for the Division Three play-off final where they were beaten by Peterborough.

He scored on his Quakers debut - against Peterborough - and went on to grab four in 16 appearances for Darlo.

This season, Wainwright was shipped out on loan to Halifax by Peter Reid where he also made 16 appearances, but he has again failed to break into The Black Cats first team following his return.

Darlington would be unable to bring Wainwright back top the club on a loan basis as they have already loaned twice from Sunderland this season.

Thomas Butler and Kevin Kyle both arrived at The Stadium of Light earlier in the season and Football League rules state that a club cannot loan more than two players from one club during the course of a season.