NYRON Nosworthy fears close friend and defensive partner Jonny Evans will not be moving to Wearside on a permanent basis this summer.

Nosworthy and Evans struck up a terrific friendship on and off the pitch and it is a pairing manager Roy Keane would like to rekindle next season.

But with the latter back at Manchester United, after spending the final five months of the last campaign on loan at Sunderland, a large amount of negotiating needs to be done if the player is to return.

With Gerard Pique seemingly bound for Barcelona, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reluctant to lose both of his highly- rated young centre-backs.

So Nosworthy fears Keane's chances of signing Evans in a reputed £5m deal are doomed to failure. He does, however, concede the Northern Irishman could be back at Sunderland on loan for a third time.

"I can't really see us getting Jonny unless it was for another season on loan," said Nosworthy.

"I can't see him coming permanently.

He is a terrific player and I hope we do but I just can't see it.

"He hasn't really been saying anything about his future. He was saying that he would just chill out, watch the game in Moscow last week's Champions League final, and after that what will be will be. The two clubs will have to talk."

The arrivals of Evans and Phil Bardsley from United in January were two of the main factors in Sunderland's climb away from the relegation zone.

They are the calibre of player that Nosworthy wants to see arriving in the North-East.

"We have signed good players and if you can sign more like those, like Kenwyne Jones, then we will be in terrific shape," said Nosworthy, aware Evans is understood to have had a chat with Ferguson in the last five days.

"Jonny is a big friend and is a cool guy. I'm able to express myself properly alongside Jonny. He covers my back and I cover his.

"I would love to see him back here."

If Evans fails to return, Keane knows he will need at least one new defender.

He does not want to make wholesale changes, but is aware that a proven striker is required to partner Jones.

Jones started training with Trinidad & Tobago yesterday and looks certain to figure against England on Sunday - just three weeks after fracturing his wrist.

"It feels good to be back with the team," said Jones. "I know how massive this game is and every player would like to be involved."