Last week right-back Greg Halford joined Sheffield United on a full season's loan and Arnau is hoping to come to a similar arrangement at Bloomfield Road.

The Spanish midfielder has not played a first team game for Sunderland since Roy Keane took over almost two years ago and has spent much of that time out on loan.

The 26-year-old travelled to Lancashire yesterday and will spend a week with the Seasiders, who survived their first campaign back in the Championship last season.

Arnau is in the final year of his contract and has been told that he can leave Wearside if he can find a new club.

Meanwhile, Sunderland continue to be linked with Everton striker Andy Johnson amid reports that the Black Cats £10m transfer target Darren Bent could be ready to turn down a move to Wearside and stay at White Hart Lane.

If no deal can be agreed for Bent, Sunderland could switch their sights to Johnson, with speculation mounting that the former Crystal Palace hitman could be on his way out of Goodison Park.

Former Sunderland, Newcastle and Manchester United striker Andy Cole has completed his switch to Nottingham Forest.

The 36-year-old was out of contract after his one-year deal on Wearside ran out this summer and he has signed a 12 month contract at the City Ground.