Are Cats in for the Kil? Club yet to hear offer...
JACK ROSS SAID TO BE KEEN ON JORDAN JONES
KILMARNOCK insist they are yet to receive an approach from Sunderland for winger Jordan Jones.
Jones is Killie’s prized asset and has attracted interest from the Championship and Scottish giants Rangers, as well as Sunderland.
Earlier reports had suggested Sunderland had been in contact with Killie but that has been strongly denied by sources close to the club, according to our sister title the Daily Record.
Black Cats’ boss Jack Ross is said to be a fan of the 23-year-old Northern Ireland international, who scored four goals and registered eight assists for Steve Clarke’s side last term.
Jones is a product of Middlesbrough’s academy and was once heralded as the club’s brightest young talent before falling by the wayside.
However, he has resurrected his career at Fir Park and is now a full international.
Sunderland have made seven signings this summer with the additions of Jon McLaughlin, Tom Flanagan, Alim Ozturk, Glenn Loovens, Reece James, Dylan McGeouch and Chris Maguire.
However, new club owner Stewart Donald has confirmed he is hopeful of bringing in ‘another half dozen’ players before the transfer deadline next month. He said: “We have about half a dozen in, we need another half dozen in on sensible money.
“We wanted them in 10 days ago.
“We want to get them in, It (the squad) is not quite there yet.”
Meanwhile, former Sunderland defender Marc Wilson has signed for Bolton Wanderers on a oneyear deal.
The ex-Bournemouth and Stoke man had a season to forget on Wearside, with injuries meaning his gametime was restricted as the Black Cats suffered relegation to League One.
Even when fit, the 30-year-old struggled to maintain a first-team place under Simon Grayson and then Chris Coleman and the club opted not to extend his contact in the summer.
Wilson, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland 25 times, is looking forward to the new challenge, sayong: “It is good to be here. I spoke to the manager a while back and he was really positive.
“I think it is a good chance to beplaying football again and to help the club to do well.”
Wilson made 22 appearances in total last season for Sunderland, making 20 league starts and playing a key role at the back end of last season as Coleman’s side made a desperate bid to stay in the Championship.
Jack Ross will also receive a boost as Elliot Embleton will return to Sunderland earlier than expected after England under-19s crashed out of the European Championships on Monday evening.
Embleton, 19, is expected to challenge for a place in the first team this season.