Healy has scored 35 goals for Northern Ireland

Brighton boss Gus Poyet has played down speculation linking Albion to a loan move for Sunderland's David Healy.

The 31-year-old Northern Ireland international striker has not featured for the Black Cats this season.

Poyet told BBC Sussex: "People know we're talking about strikers and they check which players are available.

"I know David very well. He's a player I enjoyed working with at Leeds but we haven't contacted the club, so it's just rumours."

Poyet added: "From my point of view, I'd love to have David with us but that's another matter.

Healy joined Sunderland from Fulham for an undisclosed fee in August 2008 but has never started a league game for the Black Cats and the three matches he has played this season have all been internationals.

"He's very good in front of goal and good around the box," added Poyet. "We don't have that kind of player.

"But when you have a player in the Premier League you can't just say he should come down two divisions and play for us."

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