County boss in talks to take young Cats on loan

Notts County boss Neal Ardley has confirmed talks have taken place about the possibility of loaning some of Sunderland’s younger players – but insists they won’t become ‘Sunderland’s B team’.

It comes as Sunderland’s nonexecutive director Tom Sloanes, speaking on the Veterans in Crisis podcast last week, suggested Notts County as one possible destination for some younger players. No specific players were mentioned but he said: “A friend of mine has actually bought Notts County. Bally [Kevin Ball] looks after the young kids and things like that, so I’m going to put him in touch after the transfer window because they don’t have a deadline.

“So if Kevin has a couple of lads that he wants to get out because Kevin wants to see the young lads playing football.”

And now Ardley has spoken about the possibility to the Nottingham Post, confirming there had been some initial discussions but no more than that at this stage.

Ardley said: “As always in football, these things can get blown up out or proportion, but we are always looking to network. You never know, there might be a really good player somewhere who you really want and I am sure Sunderland have a few in their ranks. A conversation has happened but it is not something that would lead us to become Sunderland’s B team.

“The discussions was more about were there any players we would run our eye over and see whether they would suit us.

“We’ve said we will look at their good young players. I think we are a big club, with a good fan base, it’s intense place to come and play so I think they would learn a lot by coming here.

“But that could be any club we end up having talks with such as West Brom for example.

“I wouldn’t blow it out of proportion, but at the same time I won’t say we will never ever sign a player from Sunderland because there are a few we’ve looked at before.”

Benji Kimpioka could leave on loan, though nothing is understood to be imminent. National League clubs can sign loan players until March.