Sunderland midfielder David Meyler in talks with Hull over possible transfer

The two clubs have agreed a fee for the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international

David Meyler (GETTY IMAGES)

Sunderland midfielder David Meyler was today in talks with npower Championship Hull over a permanent move.

The two clubs agreed a fee for the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who is currently on loan at the KC Stadium, earlier this week, and Press Association Sport understands discussions over personal terms were taking place today.

Meyler, who joined the Black Cats from Cork City in July 2008, has struggled to force his way into the senior picture at the Stadium of Light after recovering from two horrendous knee injuries.

However, he has prospered under former boss Steve Bruce during his time at Hull and has helped the Tigers to climb into second place in the table as the race for promotion to the Barclays Premier League hots up, prompting a bid understood to be in the region of £1.5million.

Current Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill admitted it was likely that Meyler would be recalled when it became clear that skipper Lee Cattermole's injury would rule him out for up to two months.

However, his return was delayed by a suspension after he collected his firth booking of the season, and the fact that O'Neill decided to leave him where he was suggested his chances of making an impact on Wearside would be limited.

He would become the second man to leave the Black Cats this week with South Korea international striker Ji Dong-won having completed a loan move to German side Augsburg for the remainder of the season yesterday.

PA