The former Everton winger has been linked with the North East outfit in recent months after becoming a free agent in the summer.
"With a little bit of luck, he is going to sign this afternoon, certainly by the latest, tomorrow," said O'Neill.
The 29-year-old is reportedly due to secure a three-month deal at the Stadium of Light.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sunderland | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 18 |
| 2 | Burnley | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 17 |
| 3 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| 4 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 16 |
| 5 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 15 |
| 6 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 15 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 14 |
| 8 | Watford | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 13 |
| 9 | Hull City | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 10 | Norwich CityNorwich | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 11 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 11 |
| 12 | Swansea CitySwansea | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 11 |
| 13 | Bristol City | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 10 |
| 14 | Stoke CityStoke | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 9 |
| 15 | Derby CountyDerby | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 9 |
| 16 | Millwall | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 8 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 8 |
| 18 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 8 |
| 19 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 8 |
| 20 | Luton TownLuton | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 8 |
| 21 | Preston North EndPreston | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 8 |
| 22 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 7 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 19 | -11 | 4 |
| 24 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 17 | -14 | 4 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
