DERBY boss Billy Davies will shortly contact Roy Keane in an attempt to sign striker Jon Stead on a permanent basis.

And while Keane has hinted that a couple of his loanees could be returning to the Stadium of Light rather than signing for their temporary employers when the transfer window reopens next month, the Black Cats boss is unlikely to offer Stead a second chance on Wearside.

After scoring three goals in his last six games, Stead is understandably keen to sign a long-term contract at Pride Park.

That wish is likely to be granted, as any decision to recall the former Blackburn striker would severely impinge upon Keane's ability to complete the capture of Derby full-back Lewin Nyatanga.

Nyatanga joined Sunderland when Stead moved in the opposite direction in October and, while the two transfers are not directly linked, it is understood that a gentleman's agreement decrees that one permanent transfer will be a reciprocation of the other.

That means that Keane's desire to strengthen his defensive ranks with the acquisition of Nyatanga will trump any inclination to recall the in-form Stead next month.

Nyatanga has failed to start just one of Sunderland's last nine matches - that absence was because of injury - rapidly establishing himself as the club's first-choice left-back in the process.

Keane's desperation to sign the Wales international will be music to the ears of Davies, who has highlighted Stead's fine form as one of the key factors behind his side's rise to second in the Championship table.

The 23-year-old narrowly missed out on being named the Championship Player of the Month for November over the weekend, but a string of impressive performances have recalled the days when Mick McCarthy was prepared to pay £1.8m to secure the striker's services.

"I've had a good chat with him and explained my feelings," said Davies. "We just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope something can be done.

"I'm convinced this is the right place for him, but we can only do what we can do. We can offer him the club we are, the facilities we have and the potential that is here and hope he buys into where we are trying to go as regards to ambition.

"He is a great lad, a joy to work with, and has settled into the squad. I have my own thoughts on the player and on his play.

"Hopefully, we can continue the development of the Jon Steads and Giles Barnes and all the other young players we have."

Stead, who failed to make a single senior appearance under Keane, still has two years of his current Sunderland contract to run.

He accepts that he could yet be forced to return to Wearside but, after successfully resurrecting his career at Derby, the former England Under-21 international is hoping to be allowed to leave the Black Cats for good in January.

"I'm very happy here," he said. "I'm playing games, scoring a few goals and giving everything I have to Derby. I'm feeling on top of the world again.

"I wasn't playing at Sunderland and I didn't feel I really got a chance there earlier this season, especially once Roy Keane came in as manager. I didn't make one of his squads.

"Sunderland were good enough to let me come out on loan and, at the moment, I'm not thinking about what will happen in January. I'm just concentrating on doing my best for Derby.

"When it gets to January, I will have a decision to make - whether the move here can become permanent, whether it can be extended to the end of the season or whether I go back to Sunderland.

"Of course, it's not ideal not knowing what will happen in the next month or so, but there's no point worrying about it."

As well as heralding permanent transfers for both Stead and Nyatanga, January is also likely to see Ben Alnwick and Marton Fulop swapping clubs.

Alnwick, who was one of the players embroiled in a sex tape controversy last week, is expected to complete a move to Tottenham when the transfer window reopens.

And after making his senior Black Cats debut against Luton on Saturday, Fulop is hoping to sign a long-term contract at the Stadium of Light in return.

"I want to stay at Sunderland," said the Hungary international. "It's a fantastic stadium and the supporters were unbelievable against Luton. I'd like to thank me for the reception they gave me.

"I know that Darren (Ward) is a good keeper but hopefully I will stay in the team now. That has to be my aim."