O'Neill hopes Rose continues to blossom

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is keeping his fingers crossed that Tottenham do not decide to recall full-back Danny Rose next month.

The 22-year-old has been arguably the Black Cats' most accomplished player to date this season, having joined on a season-long loan deal from Spurs in August.

However, O'Neill has revealed there is a recall clause which could see Rose return to White Hart Lane in January, and he is hoping that does not prove to be the case with Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who has missed much of the campaign to date through injury, now back in training. O'Neill told the Sunderland Echo: "We have not spoken to Tottenham about it in any sort of formal way."

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