Oviedo deal collapse ‘not down to Cats’

JACK Ross insists Sunderland are not to blame for Bryan Oviedo’s abortive deadline-day move to West Brom.

Oviedo had been set to join the Baggies on loan for the remainder of the season and travelled to the Midlands, where he passed a medical - but the move fell through at the 11th hour.

The Costa Rica international this week gave an interview in his homeland in which he said the paperwork was not completed on time, adding: “I was notified at 6.00, I travelled about three hours from my house.

“I did the medical tests and I signed but in the end it was 11. 05 and I saw something was strange.

“I asked my representative and he told me they supposedly did not send the documents before 11.00.”

However, Ross says if the paperwork was submitted late it was not due to an oversight at the Sunderland end and defended the club’s administrative staff including club secretary Brett Baker.

He said: “It is inaccurate to suggest it was us - that is not true and I would defend Brett Baker, who does our work in that respect, because he is incredibly diligent and professional at what he does.”

Wherever the blame lies, the fact Oviedo’s move did not go ahead is a blow to all parties.

The player had been keen to step up to Championship level, Sunderland were looking to get one of their highest earners off the books and West Brom clearly wanted him to strengthen their promotion bid.

However, Ross has no problem with the fact Oviedo is back on Wearside.

While he finds himself competing with Reece James and fit-again Denver Hume for the left-back slot, Oviedo is expected to play a part as Sunderland push for promotion - albeit he will miss out on today’s trip to Oxford United after picking up a minor injury in training yesterday.

Ross added: “In terms of the loan move for him and him wanting to explore it, I get that from Bryan because he wants to play at the highest level he can.

“He has never caused me one problem and his attitude is very good.

“I get on well with him from a personal point of view.

“It is just an unusual situation for everyone to be involved in and there have been challenges for him.

“Since he came back he has trained fine but now he has picked up a little injury so he will not play at the weekend.”