Former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland striker Niall Quinn was hailed as a hero as he returned to Wearside this afternoon.

The Dubliner, who is heading a consortium which is in talks to buy out under-fire chairman Bob Murray, arrived at the Stadium of Light ahead of this afternoon's Barclays Premiership clash with Arsenal.

Hundreds of fans gathered at the main entrance to the stadium to welcome back the man who wore the number nine shirt with such distinction during his time as a player with the club.

Quinn was cheered as he stepped from a car along with Murray and spent several minutes signing autographs before being photographed shaking hands with the current chairman and then heading in to the directors' suite.

Sunderland confirmed to the Stock Exchange on Friday evening that they had opened talks with Quinn and his partners.

It is understood that the Irish consortium will initially plough around £15million into the club, which still has debts amounting to around £40million.

The Black Cats went into today's game already relegated and knowing that anything other than victory - something they had not achieved at home in the league this season in 17 previous attempts - would see them secure a new unwanted record for the fewest number of points collected in a Premiership season.