After a disappointing period at White Hart Lane, Sunderland may offer Roman Pavlyuchenko the option to remain in the Premier League with a January move.

The Russian international no longer seems to be a feature in the long-term plans of Harry Redknapp and has been linked with a move away from the club over recent months.

Pavlyuchenko has made 13 appearances for Spurs this season and has scored four goals along the way.

Sunderland are facing a quandary of their own after Nicklas Bendtner suffered an injury to his face over the weekend and it’s currently unknown exactly how long he will be missing for.

Scans have revealed that the injury is suspected to be a fractured nose, and although his absence isn’t expected to be more than a few weeks, the Black Cats will sorely miss their Danish international who was just starting to hit form.

Bendtner is the only striker in the Sunderland side with considerable experience and Martin O’Neill will now have to rely on Ji Dong-Won and Connor Wickham – 20 and 18 years-old, respectively – to pick up the attacking slack.

That is unless the Northern Irishman can find reinforcements to bolster his offence.

While he may not be the most prolific of strikers, Pavlyuchenko has shown the potential for great play at times and the considerable man-management skills of O’Neill may be enough to revive his career.

Sunderland still have room to loan one more player from the Premier League and given his low involvement this campaign, Harry Redknapp may let the 30 year-old leave on a temporary deal this month.

However, the Londoner may want an agreement that Sunderland will sign the £9m-rated forward at the end of the season, as Spurs look to free up funds for some moves of their own.