Everton are reported to be stepping up their efforts to sign Sunderland captain Dan Neil. With less than two weeks remaining in the January transfer window, Toffees’ boss David Moyes is yet to see any new faces come through the door at Goodison Park.

A new midfielder is on their minds and Neil is said to fit the bill. The Black Cats are flying in the Championship and any move for the midfielder would certainly raise eyebrows on Wearside.

Speaking to Everton News, TBR Football’s chief transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has shared Sunderland’s stance on selling Neil this month. Sources on Wearside are adamant Sunderland will want to keep their best players at the Stadium of Light for the remainder of the season.

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Regis Le Bris landed at Sunderland over the summer and has been nothing short of a revelation with the Black Cats pushing for automatic promotion. This naturally means Sunderland are keen to keep their top players at the club as they push to return to the Premier League.

Neil, 23, was born in South Shields and has played through Sunderland’s youth system, making his interest in the club’s promotion push even more important.

Although there is the prospect of playing in the Premier League with Everton he will be focused solely on helping his club get promotion to the top tier.

Meanwhile, after their 2-0 win over Norwich City at Elland Road, Betfred (www.betfred.com/sports/football) have Leeds United as the 1/33 favourites to be promoted to the Premier League from the Championship this season and the 1/3 favourites to win the Championship title.

Sheffield United’s promotion chances have also been given a very slight boost, moving from 4/9 to 5/2. Sunderland are also moving in the right direction from 11/8 to 5/4. Burnley’s chances have taken a small hit, despite their 5-0 victory away at Plymouth on Wednesday night, drifting from 8/15 to 8/13. Sunderland host Plymouth on Saturday hoping to emulate Burnley’s tally to recoup some of that goal difference.