Sunderland currently have eight players out on loan. Some with a view to a permanent move and some looking to gain valuable first team experience in order to compete for a place in the Sunderland first team squad in the future. Out of the eight players out on loan, one was sent off, one saw his side concede four after he came on as a substitute and another scored with an impressive backheel.
The players currently on loan are:
Jordan Pickford — Preston North End
Mikael Mandron — Hartlepool United
Martin Smith and George Honeyman — Gateshead
Emanuele Giaccherini — Bologna
Santiago Vergini — Getafe
Liam Bridcutt — Leeds United
Dylan McEvoy — Boston United
Last Wednesday Santiago Vergini started for Getafe against Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey and scored with an excellent backheel. It was not as impressive as his own goal against Southampton last season but impressive nonetheless. The game ended 3-1 to Getafe, but Rayo went through to the next round on away goals. On Saturday he was back on the bench and was an unused substitute as Getafe drew 2-2 away at Valencia.
Jordan Pickford was controversially sent off for Preston North End when they faced Leeds United at Elland Road. Pickford was playing against Sunderland team-mate Liam Bridcutt who played the full 90 minutes as Leeds won 1-0. The sending off came after 30 minutes when Pickford was adjudged to have handled outside of the penalty area. The ‘keeper claimed the ball hit him on the shoulder but his appeals fell on deaf ears as the referee showed him the red card. Preston manager Simon Grayson had this to say, “My goalkeeper’s said it hit him in the chest area. The assistant referee says the defenders weren’t round on the cover, but I felt they were going to get round to it. It’s a huge decision at an important part of the game. It’s gone against us and ultimately cost us the game.”
Mikael Mandron came on as an 81st minute substitute for Hartlepool United as they lost to a last minute goal as Plymouth Argyle defeated them 2-1 at Victoria Park. Hartlepool have now picked up just one point from their last five games and sit 21st in League Two but they do have a seven point cushion on the relegation places.
George Honeyman endured a tough afternoon for Gateshead. He came on as 31st minute substitute and saw his team concede four goals while he was on the field. Gateshead lost the game 5-1 at home to Woking. Martin Smith was an unused substitute.
Dylan McEvoy played the full 90 minutes as Boston United ran out 4-0 winners over Stockport County. Boston were without Jordan Blinco, who has returned to Sunderland after his loan spell.
Emanuele Giaccherini did not feature for Bologna as they were defeated 3-2 at home by Empoli on Saturday. Giaccherini is expected to be on the injured list for around three weeks due to a hamstring injury.
