Wearsiders on alert in case Cherries Grabb striker back in new year

PLAN MUST BE IN PLACE, SAYS CATS BOSS CHRIS

CHRIS Coleman has confirmed that Bournemouth could recall Lewis Grabban in January – and says Sunderland must have a back-up plan in case it comes to pass.

Grabban is on a season-long loan with the Black Cats, but a clause in the deal allows the Cherries to cut short that agreement in the transfer window.

And with Grabban Sunderland’s top scorer with 10 goals in just 14 Championship starts, there is a danger that Bournemouth will bring him back to the south coast to boost their own firepower or in order to sell him if another club makes a bid – and either way it would be bad news for the Black Cats. Coleman says he has had no indication that Bournemouth are considering recalling the frontman, but admits he will have to make sure Sunderland are not left short if it happens.

“We’ve got Grabban, the top scorer, there’s lots of speculation about clauses in his contracts and whether he can be recalled,” said Coleman.

“We’ve not heard anything from Bournemouth to suggest that would happen, that is what it is, a contract is a contract.

“I’ve been here a few weeks ... in my head, the positions and the people I’d like to bring in I already know.

“That [recall] is a possibility but we’re not anticipating it. Of course you never know in football.

“Of course we have to look at that and if it does happen we need to make sure we’re on the front foot and we’ve got someone coming the other way. Fingers crossed it won’t.”

Grabban has been in excellent form so far and Coleman hopes that the recall clause is not activated.

He said: “From what I can see the player is happy here, we’ve had no contact from Bournemouth regarding Lewis, although I’m sure on the back of what he’s done there’ll be plenty of admirers.

“But as I sit here, Lewis will, we hope, be here for the rest of the season.”

Grabban (pictured above) cost Bournemouth £8m in the summer of 2016 when he was re-signed from Norwich City, 18 months after he had joined the Canaries from the south coast club.

The much-travelled frontman began his career at Crystal Palace before moving on to Millwall, Brentford, and Rotherham, before that spell at Norwich sandwiched between two stints at Bournemouth.

He has also spent time on loan at Oldham Athletic, Motherwell, Brentford, and the second half of last season at Reading.

He was told by Cherries boss Eddie Howe that he could leave this summer, with the arrival of Jermain Defoe from Sunderland hastening his exit.