O'Donovan has scored once in 13 appearances for Dundee United

Sunderland have recalled striker Roy O'Donovan from his loan spell at Dundee United and cut short goalkeeper Trevor Carson's spell with Chesterfield.

The Black Cats' new Scottish manager Ricky Sbragia had already ended Michael Chopra's stay at Cardiff City.

United boss Craig Levein will not rush into a decision about whether to recall Kevin Smith from Raith Rovers as cover.

"I'll sit down and think about what we're going to do with Kevin next week," he said.

Former Sunderland and Dundee forward Smith is top scorer for the Second Division side, scoring 12 goals in 18 appeances.

O'Donovan has made 13 appearances since joining United in August, scoring once for the side sitting third in the Scottish Premier League, while Carson made 20 appearances for League Two outfit Chesterfield.

Sbragia told his club's website: "It's not quite worked out for Roy up there. It was going well, but he got suspended and found it difficult to get back in the team.

"It would have been unfair to leave him there."

Meanwhile, United goalkeeper John Gibson's loan to Forfar Athletic has been extended until the end of the season.

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