St Johnstone won’t stop Sunderland target Scott Tanser returning to England amid interest from the League One outfit, manager Callum Davidson has told The Courier.
With Lee Johnson replacing Phil Parkinson at the Stadium of Light, yet another overhaul could be on the cards on Wearside.
Forest Green captain Carl Winchester, who played under the new Black Cats boss at Bristol Rovers, became the first signing of the Johnson era last week.
But the versatile midfielder is unlikely to be the only new face through the door this month.
Sunderland have also made an approach for 26-year-old Tanser, the St Johnstone left-back who previously played League One football for Rochdale and Port Vale (Northern Echo).
Tanser is due to become a free agent in the summer and, while St Johnstone hope to agree a new deal, the Scottish Premiership outfit won’t stand in his way if an attractive offer arrives.
“Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener,” Buddies boss Davidson said.
“If you’re playing well, which he is, and you’re enjoying your football, which he is, that’s a huge thing, especially for Scott at his age.
“If there was a good offer for him I obviously wouldn’t stop him going back down the road but there are a lot of things he’ll need to factor into the equation – one of them being he’s playing in a position he really likes, wing-back.
“I’m hoping we can get him tied up.”
Tanser would provide competition for Denver Hume and Callum McFadzean at Sunderland. However, as Davidson was at pains to point out, the Blackpool-born wide man is at his most comfortable in an advanced, left-wing back role.
Johnson, however, has preferred a four-man back line since taking over from Parkinson in December.
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