Black Cats woo Bellingham Jr

SUNDERLAND invited Jobe Bellingham and his family to the Stadium of Light last month as they explore an ambitious move to sign the 16-year-old Birmingham City attacking midfielder, Sportsmail can reveal. Black Cats boss Alex Neil does not need telling how much his hand would be strengthened by being able to offer Championship football to any prospective arrivals. Sunderland travel to Sheffield Wednesday in their play-off semi-final this evening with a 1-0 advantage from Friday’s first leg courtesy of Ross Stewart. ‘It’s a do or die moment — they need to come out and win the game,’ said Neil. ‘What you’re really asking is whether I’m going to batten down the hatches, or go for another goal? ‘I’m going to do as always, dance around the question, not really answer it, and leave you to draw your own conclusions!’ Neil is focused on this match but there is a bigger picture too. Bellingham — younger brother of England star Jude — was in attendance for a recent Sunderland home match and has spent time with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, formerly academy manager at Birmingham. Bellingham will have a host of choices when he decides to move on.