Nelson eyed by clubs for potential loan swoop

Sunderland striker Andrew Nelson is attracting interest from clubs north and south of the border – should the Black Cats decide to send him out on loan this season.

Sunderland’s first team is currently desperately shy of strikers with Jack Ross relying on forward Chris Maguire and youngsters Josh Maja and Nelson during pre-season.

Ross wants to sign at least two strikers before deadline day, with a £600,000 bid in for Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke and a £1million bid for Cheltenham Town forward Mo Eisa.

Ross has made it clear he hopes progress will be made in the coming days on his top transfer targets, with the August 9 deadline rapidly approaching.

Once the cavalry does arrive at the Stadium of Light then some of the club’s younger players could head out on loan.

And we understand there are several clubs keen on taking Nelson on loan.

Football League clubs in England plus sides in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Championship are monitoring the situation, with Falkirk among them.

Nelson spent the second half of the last campaign at Scottish Championship side Falkirk, scoring four goals in 16 appearances.

Previously, he has had loan spells at Hartlepool United and Harrogate Town. So far this pre-season Nelson has featured against Darlington and Hartlepool United.

Ross has used a raft of younger players during preseason, with the squad undergoing a major summer overhaul.

The likes of Bali Mumba, Luke Molyneux, Benjamin Kimpioka, Denver Hume and Max Stryjek have all featured.

Ross handed U23 regular Brandon Taylor a start against Grimsby Town, the young centre-back acquitting himself well in the 1-0 win.

Sunderland are hoping to add five to six new players to the first team squad before the deadline with two strikers and two central defenders key.

That would then possibly open up the chance of loan moves for some of the younger players.