Today’s Sunderland round-up looks back at the festive fixtures plus the latest transfer and contract news coming from Wearside.
Will the contract being offered to striker Ross Stewart be enough and who are the players being linked to a move to the Stadium of Light? Plus Tony Mowbray has his say on the current situation regarding incoming players.
Sunderland Round-Up: Latest From the Stadium of Light
Seven Points From Three Festive Games
The Black Cats enjoyed a successful festive period; however, despite collecting seven points from three games, they will feel that it should have been nine.
A last-gasp winner from Ellis Simms against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day to complete a 2-1 comeback having conceded first was followed by a midweek 4-1 win at Wigan Athletic.
The struggling Latics were no match for Sunderland as Simms, Ross Stewart, Patrick Roberts and Amad Diallo scored to give the 4500 travelling fans a night to remember.
A game of two halves at Blackpool on New Year’s Day ended 1-1. A poor first half from Sunderland saw them trail 1-0 at the break. However, the Black Cats were a different team in the second half, creating chance after chance. Ross Stewart scored the equaliser but he and his teammates could not find another to secure the win.
Ellis Simms Recalled. Lampard Gives Update
To the surprise and disappointment to those at Sunderland, striker Ellis Simms was recalled to Everton by Frank Lampard ahead of the game at Blackpool.
The struggling Toffees have had problems in attack for much of the campaign; however, Lampard gave a surprising update about Simms’s inclusion in his next match-day squad. He said: “Possibly [he’ll be involved,] I haven’t crossed that bridge other than the fact I know he is coming back for us now and we will get him back in and it’s another attacking option.”
Should Simms fail to force his way into Lampard’s plans, another loan move could be on the cards. Whether that is back to Sunderland could depend on how Mowbray and his recruitment team do in attracting the players they want.
Ross Stewart Contract News
The Sunderland Echo reported that star striker Ross Stewart who is attracting interest from the Championship, Premier League and Scotland has been offered a new deal that is worth three times his current salary.
However, the offer of £10,000 per week is still short of what he could earn should he move on. Stewart currently has 18 months left on his current contract should Sunderland trigger a one-year extension in the summer.
Jerry Yates Not on Sunderland’s Radar
According to the Sunderland Echo, Jerry Yates, the Blackpool striker who has been linked with a move to Wearside is not on the Black Cats’ radar.
The 26-year-old does not fit into the clubs’ transfer model of signing players between the ages of 18 and 22 on permanent deals.
With this being the case a move for Yates is unlikely unless other transfer targets fail to sign.
Johnson Clark-Harris Watched?
Michael Graham of Fan Nation which is part of Sports Illustrated has reported that Sunderland sent scouts to watch Peterborough United forward Johnson Clarke-Harris on New Year’s Day.
Unfortunately, he failed to find the net in front of the watching scouts as United were beaten 3-0 at home by Wycombe Wanderers.
Clarke-Harris has been prolific for Peterborough in recent seasons. 33 goals in 2020/21 helped Posh win promotion from League One. 12 goals followed in the Championship as his team were relegated. This season he is currently League One’s joint-top scorer with 13.
Sunderland Round-Up: Tony Mowbray on Transfer Window
Speaking after the draw at Blackpool head coach spoke about the January transfer window and how Ellis Simms’ return to Everton has changed their approach. He said: “I think Ellis’ departure has accelerated some of the discussions that are being had. I can’t stand here and say that something is going to happen this week but discussions are ongoing.
“It might be another loan but there are also some other discussions around a young striker on a permanent basis. The club are working hard and it’s good that the team are competing at the right end of the table – it gives us a chance to invest when the team are doing rather than scrambling.
“And once the injuries come back the competition is really strong. I don’t stand here thinking we need four or five bodies, we just need to add quality and then if anyone goes out replace them.
“If we could do a deal tomorrow we will do a deal tomorrow, I would suggest. We’re working hard.”
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