When Sunderland manager Lee Johnson discussed the prospect of bringing in a free agent this week, the conversation focused on a central defender capable of filling a void created by Jordan Willis’s season-ending injury.
“I think we have to consider everything,” Johnson said.
If the former Bristol City boss does conclude a new face is required, the EFL’s decision to scrap the dreaded salary cap – which served only to restrict recruitment by third and fourth-tier clubs – will certainly make life a lot easier (The Chronicle).
But while Willis’s long-term absence is certainly a blow to their promotion hopes, Sunderland still looked well stocked at centre-back.
Wolves loanee Dion Sanderson is capable of filling in while Ollie Younger, in Johnson’s own words, has been “really impressive” in training.
And Sunderland are crying out for a fresh face in another position anyway – at least that’s what many on Wearside seem to think.
After goalkeeping duo Lee Burge and Remi Matthews made high-profile errors in recent games, the clamour for Ben Alnwick’s return is growing rapidly.
The Prudhoe-born 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Bolton Wanderers months ago.
According to The Sun (14 June, page 59), in the summer window Sunderland seriously considered bringing Alnwick back to the club where he started his career.
And, with individual errors threatening to derail their season, now be may the ideal time to take a fresh look at a man who, when fit and firing, could walk into Sunderland’s starting XI.
Here’s what some Sunderland fans had to say on Twitter about the situation:
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