Cats fear worst

SUNDERLAND head into deadline day reeling from a series of blows which have left their fans fearful for the season ahead.

The Black Cats had been confident of landing midfield pair Vicente Ibarra, from Seville, and Tottenham’s Ryan Mason for a combined £15m.

But Seville pulled the plug on the Ibarra deal and worse was to follow when Mason snubbed Sunderland in favour of Hull, despite the Tigers not having a permanent manager. Mason cost Hull a club-record £12m and was followed in by David Marshall and Will Keane.

Scotland keeper Marshall, 31, cost £3.5m from Cardiff.

And 23-year-old hitman Keane, set to make his debut against twin brother Michael at Burnley on Saturday week, was signed for £1m from Manchester United.