MACKEM CONNOR IS CLARK TARGET

BLACKPOOL want Sunderland midfielder Connor Oliver on loan in January.

The Seasiders, now managed by former Black Cats midfielder Lee Clark, are believed to have been watching Oliver, who had a loan spell with League Two Hartlepool last season and can also play in central defence.

Ex-Sunderland boss Malcolm Crosby has followed Clark to Bloomfield Road as head of recruitment after working under him at Birmingham.

And Sunderland are expected to agree to Oliver, 20, joining Blackpool’s fight to stay in the Championship to gain more first-team experience.

Sunderland are resisting approaches for Duncan Watmore, but may let fellow forward Mikael Mandron go on loan to a League One side in the new year.

Meanwhile, Blackpool have told Belgian winger Jonathan Legear that he can leave without him making a single appearance for the club. Legear, 27, signed for Blackpool the day before Clark was appointed.