Sunderland look to be ‘closing in’ on another loan exit following Pierre Ekwah’s departure.
The club have confirmed that the Frenchman has joined Saint-Etienne on loan with the option to buy, but they look set to send out at least one more player before the deadline.
While Sunderland are yet to announce Luis Hemir’s move, Nectarios Triantis could now be the next player to leave the Stadium of Light.
It has been reported recently that the Australian could depart on loan again and it now looks like he is set for a return to Scotland.
Nectarios Triantis set for position change ahead of loan switch
According to The Scotsman, Hibernian are ‘closing in’ on a second loan spell for Triantis.
The 21-year-old made 12 appearance as he spent the second half of last season at Easter Road.
Triantis started his final three appearances for Hibs in midfield and the report claims that he will continue in that position this term, with head coach David Gray seeing him as a No 6 rather than a centre-back.
Could the Australian be a future Sunderland midfielder?
The defender hasn’t exactly set the world alight in his few appearances for Sunderland, so seeing how he does in midfield in Scotland could be rather intriguing.
The Black Cats’ only real No 6 could well be Salis Abdul Samed – if a deal gets done. With the Ghanian expected to join on loan, Triantis could look to earn himself a place in the middle of the park next season.
It seems a far-fetched idea, but sending him back to Hibs, where he is already known and appreciated, seems like a fair decision from the Championship outfit.
Sunderland’s backline is still fairly light though, even after Chris Mepham’s arrival.
Aji Alese’s injury means that Mepham, Dan Ballard, Luke O’Nien, Leo Hjelde and Joe Anderson will be their available central defenders, though it is fair to say that fans will be eager for the latter two to stay away from the squad.