SUNDERLAND are considering offering a contract to Chinedu Obasi after handing the Nigerian striker a trial at the Academy of Light this week.

Obasi, who is currently a free agent after being released by German Bundesliga side Schalke in the summer, has spent time training with the Black Cats’ first-team squad in an attempt to persuade new boss Sam Allardyce to sign him.

Allardyce outlined a desire to improve his squad when he agreed to replace Dick Advocaat, and will make a decision over Obasi’s future at the start of next week.

With 24 of their 25 Premier League squad places filled, Sunderland have space to accommodate one free agent before the January transfer window opens.

The 29-year-old Nigeria international made ten league starts in his three seasons with Schalke, with his time in Germany being blighted by a series of shin injuries.

He boasts a decent international pedigree though, having represented Nigeria as they finished third at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and played for the Super Eagles at the World Cup in the same year.

“He’s been injured with a broken shin, and that had taken a long time for him to recover, and he spent some rehab time in America,” said Allardyce. “His agent got hold of me and said he was worth looking at based on his CV, which looked pretty good, so we’ll make a judgement early next week.”