Burge’s chances of winning a coveted League One prize ended
Lee Burge has seen his hopes of landing the League One golden glove ended – after conceding at Plymouth Argyle.
The Sunderland stopper has racked-up 18 clean sheets this season, a record that stands among the best in League One.
That record had given the ‘keeper a chance of landing the league’s golden glove – but those hopes came to an end after the 3-1 win at Plymouth Argyle. Burge will now only be able to rack-up a maximum of 19 clean sheets, which would still be one shy of Blackpool stopper Chris Maxwell, who has achieved 20 shut-outs this term.
LincolnstopperAlexPalmer has also kept 18 clean sheets duringthe2020/21seasonand, with the Imps still having two fixtures remaining before the end of the regular season, he could yet catch Maxwell and claim the prize.
For Burge, however, the race is over. But that shouldn’t taketheshineoffwhathasbeen an encouraging season for the ex-CoventryCityman,whohas steppedintothevoidleftbythe popular Jon McLaughlin.
Burge was recently named in the EFL’s League One team oftheyearwhileonlytwoclubs –HullCityandBlackpool–have conceded fewer goals than Sunderland heading into the final week of the season.
Indeed, the stopper’s impressive form this term has reportedly attracted interest from elsewhere with ChampionshipsideMiddlesbroughunderstood
to be keen on a move this summer.
Burge’s current contract at the Stadium of Light expires at the end of June.
*Sunderland and Burnley want to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Jacob Carney.
That’saccordingtoTheSun, who claims the Carney has beenearmarkedasanoptionto bolster their Under-21s sides.
The20-year-oldiscurrently on loan at Portadown and has played 22 times for the Northern Irish club. Their season is due to come to an end later thismonthwithCarneyout-ofcontractinOldTraffordhaving been there since 2017.
Meanwhile, Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has tipped Luke O’Nien to be offered a new contract after being named in the League One
Team of the Year.
O’Nien is out-of-contract this summer but remains a huge fans favourite and a regularinLeeJohnson’sstartingXI.
PhillipshaslabelledO’Nien “Mr Sunderland” and says it is a “no brainer” to hand him a new deal.
However, Phillips is fearful that if Johnson’s men aren’t promoted,the26-year-oldwill attractChampionshipinterest.
“O’NienisMr.Sunderland,” he told Football Insider.
“He is so versatile and Lee Johnsoncanalwaysrelyonhim to perform no matter what position he plays him in.
“He seems like a great lad in and around the dressing room as well and you need players at your football club like that. O’Nienhasshownhisqualities this season.
“Itwouldnotcosttheworld to give him a new deal so it is a no brainer for me. I’m sure there will be an offer on the table. He loves the club.
“MyonlyworryisifSunderland don’t go up. He might feel like he needs to play at a higher level at his age.
"There will be all sorts of scenarios in the summer if they don’t go up. If they do go up, I think they will definitely tie O’Nien down.”