Loanee Sanderson speaks out on his future amid transfer rumours

Dion Sanderson says he is still hopeful of making an impact at parent club Wolves – despite rumours about a potential exit.

The defender has caught the eye in recent weeks while on loan at Sunderland and has built-up a strong partnership with Luke O’Nien at the heart of the Black Cats’ defence.

And given his performances of late, it is no surprise that hehasalreadybeenlinkedwith a host of top-flight clubs.

National reports have suggested that the likes of Sheffield United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace could all be interested in striking a deal for Sanderson come the summer – while Sunderland have also been credited with an interest in making the 21-year-old’s stay permanent.

ButSandersonhimselfsays his preference would be to remain at Wolves, and to try and establish himself in the top flight. "If the opportunity to play for Wolves presented itself, I would take it,” he said.

"Wolves have been my boyhood club, and it's where I see myself in the future.

“I definitely see myself in thePremierLeague.Ijusthave to keep my standards high for myself— that’s my aspiration and where I want to be.”

For the short-term, however,Sanderson’sfutureremains on securing promotion with theWearsiders–somethinghe says would mean a lot to him.

“I would be really chuffed if wedogetpromoted,”headded.

"If you know Sunderland's history, they've been through a lot in the last ten years, so it would mean a lot to me and, more importantly, to the club, the players who have been there for a while, and the fans.

“Wehaveamassivefanbase as well; the last ten years have beendifficultfortheclub,from being in the Premier League to being relegated and relegated again. It would be class to secure promotion with them.

“We have a lot of games coming up, and I'm concentrating on what I'm doing on the field; anything else is not really the focus for the time being.”

*Joey Barton told any player Bristol Rovers not up for the challengeof‘climbingEverest’ in a bid to avoid relegation can walk away now.

The Gas lost 2-0 to Plymouth ahead of the visit of Sunderland this Saturday. He said: ‘We now go into a phase of 10 games when we’re fighting for our footballing lives,

“We’re trying to climb Everest and those that can come with us, great. We can’t have any passengers because if we have passengers, we’ll all die, we’ll all be killed.”