Sunderland defender Alan Stubbs has rejoined Everton on a deal until the end of the season.

Stubbs only moved to The Stadium of Light in the summer but his time in the North East has proved to be a short-lived affair as he is now back on Merseyside.

The veteran stopper has always been a favourite with the Goodison Park faithful but left his boyhood club in the summer after failing to concur on fresh terms with David Moyes.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy has agreed to allow the player to return to his former club and with both clubs having struck an agreement, the player rushed through a medical in order to beat the deadline for this weekend's game.

Having signed in time, Stubbs will now be eligible to be involved on Saturday against Arsenal.

''I am absolutely thrilled to be back at the club I've supported all my life - what happened last summer is water under the bridge,'' Stubbs told the club's official website.

''My target is a simple one. I want to prove my worth between now and the end of the season in the hope of a contract renewal.''

Source: Sky Sports