Sunderland look set to sign a key addition before next week’s deadline.
Sunderland have left themselves less than a week to bolster their squad, with fans desperate to see at least a striker, midfielder and left-back join the ranks.
The Black Cats didn’t look to need a defender following Aji Alese’s return to action in December, with Niall Huggins also really impressing since he came into the starting line-up.
However, the Leeds United academy product will now be sidelined until at least the end of the season after he was forced off in the defeat to Coventry City, while Dennis Cirkin suffered another setback in his recovery.
Things were made even worse when Alese missed out on the weekend’s clash with Hull City, with the 23-year-old also expected to be out for around a month.
A flurry of injury problems may have forced Sunderland’s hand in the transfer market, and it wasn’t long before the Black Cats were linked with a move for Leicester City’s Luke Thomas on loan.
We wanted to do some digging on Sunderland’s pursuit of a left-back, so Sunderland AFC News spoke exclusively to journalist Graeme Bailey to find out more.
“[Luke] Thomas is an interesting one. I haven’t heard many left-backs, but I did hear Charlie Taylor’s name from Burnley, but I’m not sure he’s available.
“A lot of clubs are looking at left backs at the minute. From what I’m hearing Sunderland will get one in, but it will be an interesting one.”
Could Luke Thomas fill that void for Sunderland?
It was reported last week that Sunderland were considering a loan move for Luke Thomas, who had just returned from his loan spell at Sheffield United early.
The 22-year-old is expected to leave Leicester again this month and could be a very solid temporary solution for Michael Beale‘s side.
Thomas looked very promising when he burst onto the scene with Leicester a few years ago, making over 50 appearances in the Premier League and adding 10 caps in the Europa League to his name too.
The left-back already has an FA Cup, Community Shield and Under-21 EUROS medal to his name.
With Aji Alese the only one of the three injured left-backs likely to return in the near future, he will certainly need some competition and Thomas could be a really strong addition to the backline.
It could also allow Alese to play more centrally if someone like Luke O’Nien is struggling, while Sunderland are more likely to feel like they are in safe hands if the former West Ham man picks up yet another injury.